infant pulmonary function testing
Also written as: iPFT — Infant Pulmonary Function Testing
Specialised respiratory function measurements performed in infants, typically under sedation, using equipment scaled to small lung volumes.
Full Definition
Infant pulmonary function testing encompasses techniques such as the raised-volume rapid thoracic compression maneuver, the interrupter technique, and plethysmographic lung volume measurements adapted for subjects too young to follow breathing instructions. Because infants cannot cooperate, tests are usually performed during natural or induced sleep, often with sedation. Results are interpreted against age-, sex-, and length-matched reference equations. Editors should note that the abbreviation iPFT uses a lowercase 'i' by convention in most peer-reviewed literature; capitalise only at the start of a sentence.
Usage
Usage note: The abbreviation iPFT carries a conventional lowercase 'i'; flag any all-caps rendering (IPFT) for author clarification.
In Context
- "Infant pulmonary function testing (iPFT) was conducted at 44 weeks post-menstrual age following oral chloral hydrate sedation." — Neonatal follow-up study methods
- "The iPFT results demonstrated reduced passive respiratory compliance compared with age-matched controls." — Neonatology journal article