Show AlliPFTs are measured while your child is under conscious sedation. Conscious sedation helps your child sleep through the test. Your child will be monitored throughout the whole procedure and will be breathing on his or her own while sedated. The iPFT system is a large clear plexiglass bed. Your child, once asleep, will be placed in the bed. A clean mask will be fitted over your child's nose and mouth which is connected to the iPFT system. (Remember your child will be breathing comfortably on his or her own.) A vest will also be placed around your child's chest and stomach. Your child's breathing will be measured and monitored on a computer. During one of the tests, the vest will inflate, giving your child a "hug" to allow them to empty their lungs more than they would on a "normal" breath. A medication called a bronchodilator may be given at the doctor's request and tests repeated while your child is still asleep.
The test itself takes about 1 to 2 hours. However, the iPFT is scheduled for 4 hours.
The 4 hours also includes the pre-test examination by the doctor, the time to give sedation, fall asleep, time for the child to wake up and drink clear liquids.
1. Sleep deprivation
Your child needs to be really sleepy at test time. Keep your child up later than normal the night before the test. Wake your child much earlier than normal the morning of the scheduled test. Do NOT let your child fall asleep before the test. (Have someone keep your child awake in the car).
2. Food and drink instructions
- If your child is younger than 12 months of age:
6 hours prior to sedation (3 am): Stop solid baby foods, cereal and formula
4 hours prior to sedation (5 am): Stop breast milk, clear liquids (juices and water)
give nothing more to drink
- If your child is older than 12 months of age:
8 hours prior to sedation (1 am): Stop solid foods
4 hours prior to sedation (5 am): Stop all clear liquids (juices and water) and give nothing more to drink
3. Medications
Bronchodilators (quick-acting like albuterol, Xopenex): Hold 12 hours prior to scheduled testing time, if possible. Please check with your doctor about other medications your child takes by mouth or inhaled to find out if those should be held and for how long before the test.
4. Other
- Please bring something for your child to drink (clear liquid) for after the test.
- Your child’s clothes (under garments) should be free from zippers, snaps or buttons anywhere on the chest or belly.
Infant PFTs are safe. As your child wakes up from the sedation, he or she may be groggy and unsteady. Care must be taken to prevent falls until sedation wears off. Your child may have an increase in gas and the possibility of loose stools immediately after the iPFT. Your child may experience an increase in cough immediately after the iPFT.
During testing, the health care team will be communicating in soft voices and nonverbal signs. This is to keep the room as quiet as possible to keep your child asleep. Therefore, questions are encouraged before or after the test. You will be welcome to stay in the room while the test is being preformed or you may leave and return as you wish.
