Along with doing a physical exam and asking about your child’s symptoms, your doctor may order tests such as:
- Spirometry. Doctors use this test to diagnose and keep track of asthma in children age 5 and older. It measures how quickly your child can move air in and out of the lungs and how much air is moved. Spirometry is not used with babies and small children. In those cases, the doctor usually will listen for wheezing and will ask how often the child wheezes or coughs.
- Peak expiratory flow (PEF). This shows how fast your child can breathe out when trying his or her hardest.
- A chest X-ray to see if another disease is causing your child’s symptoms.
- Allergy tests, if your doctor thinks your child’s symptoms may be caused by allergies.
Your child needs routine checkups so your doctor can keep track of the asthma and decide on treatment.
