Pediatric Pulmonology and Asthma

The team at Banner Children’s is here to support you and provide tailored diagnoses and treatment options. Find out more about pediatric pulmonology and next steps for your child.

What Is Pediatric Pulmonology?

Pediatric pulmonology focuses on diseases and breathing issues in children’s lungs. Common conditions include asthma, pneumonia, wheezing and bronchitis. Our team of dedicated pediatric specialists, that includes respiratory specialists, pulmonologists and educators, focuses on your child, their specific condition and will work with you to figure out the right treatment plan to manage it.

When Should My Child See a Pediatric Pulmonologist?

While your pediatrician can treat mild conditions in the lungs, they may refer you to a pulmonologist for more severe conditions that can range from asthma to cystic fibrosis. If your child has developed chest pain, a lung injury, wheezing or shortness of breath, it’s important to talk to your doctor about seeing a pediatric pulmonologist as soon as possible.

Pulmonary Screening and Diagnostic Tests

When it comes to testing for issues in your child’s lung, testing may include:

• General screenings – blood or urine test, liver and kidney function test
• Imaging tests
• Lung function tests

What Can Trigger Asthma in Kids?

Your child's symptoms can be serious. During an asthma flare-up, he or she may complain about feeling a tightness in the chest or of being tired or weak. You might also notice other warning signs, such as faster breathing, coughing and wheezing.

Much like allergies, kids with asthma may react to environmental factors called triggers. A few of the most common triggers include:

• Car and truck exhaust
• Exercise
• Dust and mold
• Pets
• Smoke

Any of these triggers can cause your child's airways to swell and narrow. Since asthma is a chronic (long-lasting or recurring) problem, it's important to help your child avoid triggers when you can. When you can't, it's just as important to have an action plan ready to manage them.

Pediatric Asthma Treatment Options

At Banner Children’s, we evaluate children with asthma symptoms and recommend the best way to manage those symptoms. We also offer:

• Care for chronic lung disease caused by premature birth
• Respiratory failure care
• Care for chronic and recurrent respiratory infections such as bronchitis, bronchiolitis or pneumonia
• Pulmonary function tests to measure how well your child breathes
• Infant pulmonary function tests
• Flexible bronchoscopy

Download our free Asthma Workbook to learn more about asthma and its effects. This workbook can help kids control their asthma, learn tips on how to find a treatment plan that works best and keep a positive outlook! (Download the Spanish version).

The professionals at Banner Children’s are focused on providing the best and latest diagnostic tests and treatments. We’re here to help.