The role of pulmonary function testing in children with asthma

Objective To analyse the differences of pulmonary function indexes before and after standard treatment in asthmatic children,to explore the clinical characteristic of asthma,for providing an objective basis for standardized treatment of asthma.Methods Twenty-five asthmatic children were recruited.The pulmonary function tests were performed by spirometry in asthma attack and in remission for 6 months and one year.The measured values were compared with the expected values in different periods.Results The symptoms were consistent with lung function indexes in asthmatic children.During an asthma attack,the measured values of forced vital capacity(FVC),forced expiratory volume in one second(FEV1),peak expiratory flow(PEF),forced expiratory flow at 75%,50%,25% vital capacity(FEF 25,50,75),and maximum midexpiratory flow(MMEF 75/25)were lower than expected values.After remission for 6 months,the measured values of FVC and FEV1 recovered.After remission for 1 year or more,the small airway function indexes,FEF50,FEF 75,MMEF 75/25,recovered.Conclusions Lung functional indexes have an important role in assessment of asthma and they are also an important guide for asthma treatment.