Pediatric Pulmonology Glossary
103 terms total — 24 showing — Last updated 15 Sep 2026
Lung Clearance Index LCI
A measure of ventilation inhomogeneity derived from multiple-breath washout testing, reflecting how efficiently a gas (typically nitrogen or sulfur hexafluoride) is cleared from the lungs.
congenital diaphragmatic hernia
A birth defect where abdominal organs herniate into the chest cavity through a diaphragmatic opening.
congenital lobar emphysema
Developmental abnormality causing progressive overdistention of one or more pulmonary lobes in infants.
CPAP
Continuous positive airway pressure ventilation used to support spontaneous breathing in infants with respiratory distre...
Croup
An acute upper respiratory illness in young children, typically caused by parainfluenza virus, characterised by a barkin...
cystic fibrosis
An inherited disorder affecting the lungs and digestive system through abnormal mucus production.
Epiglottitis
An acute, potentially life-threatening infection causing inflammation and swelling of the epiglottis and supraglottic st...
exhaled nitric oxide
A biomarker of eosinophilic airway inflammation measured in parts per billion in exhaled breath, used to guide diagnosis...
extracorporeal membrane oxygenation
A life-support technique that provides cardiac and respiratory support using an external artificial lung.
extubation
Planned removal of an endotracheal tube when mechanical ventilation is no longer required or transitioning to non-invasi...
FEV1
Forced expiratory volume in 1 second, a key spirometry measurement indicating airway obstruction when reduced in pediatr...
Flexible Bronchoscopy
A minimally invasive endoscopic procedure using a thin, flexible fiberoptic scope to visually examine the airways from t...
Flow–Volume Loop
A graphical representation of airflow (y-axis) plotted against lung volume (x-axis) during a maximal forced expiratory a...
forced vital capacity
The total volume of air that can be forcefully exhaled from the lungs after a maximal inhalation, measured during spirom...
Functional Residual Capacity
The volume of air remaining in the lungs at the end of a passive, tidal exhalation, representing the resting equilibrium...
grunting respirations
Audible expiratory sound produced by partial closure of the glottis, indicating respiratory distress.
high-frequency oscillatory ventilation
A specialized ventilation technique using very small tidal volumes at high frequencies for critically ill infants.
hypercapnia
Elevated levels of carbon dioxide in arterial blood, typically above 45 mmHg, indicating inadequate ventilation.
hypersensitivity pneumonitis
An immune-mediated inflammatory lung disease caused by repeated inhalation of antigenic organic particles or low-molecul...
hypoxemia
Abnormally low partial pressure of oxygen in arterial blood, indicating impaired pulmonary gas exchange.
hypoxic-ischemic injury
Lung damage resulting from inadequate oxygen delivery and blood flow, particularly in neonates.
impulse oscillometry
A forced oscillation technique that superimposes small-amplitude pressure oscillations on tidal breathing to measure res...
infant pulmonary function testing
Specialised respiratory function measurements performed in infants, typically under sedation, using equipment scaled to...
inhaled corticosteroid
A topically acting anti-inflammatory steroid drug delivered by inhalation to reduce airway inflammation in pediatric ast...
inspiratory capacity
Maximum volume of air a person can inhale after a normal expiration, combining tidal volume and inspiratory reserve volu...