Diagnosing asthma in pediatrics: How good coaching leads to accurate spirometry results

Asthma is the most common chronic disease in children, affecting millions worldwide. ¹

Yet diagnosing it in kids—especially those under 12—can be tricky. Symptoms like wheezing, coughing, and shortness of breath often overlap with other conditions, and young patients may struggle to perform spirometry correctly. That’s why spirometry, paired with a skilled coach like Buddy, is a game-changer in pediatric asthma diagnosis and management.

Why Spirometry? #

Spirometry is recognized as the standard for assessing lung function. In children over age 4 it helps: ²

• Detect airflow obstruction
• Assess reversibility after bronchodilator use
• Monitor response to treatment over time

But here’s the catch: kids need guidance to perform the test properly. Without it, results can be misleading—or unusable.

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Coaching: The secret ingredient to pediatric spirometry #

Children don’t instinctively know how to take a deep breath and blow out forcefully for six seconds. That’s where coaching makes all the difference. A great spirometry coach should:

• Use kid-friendly language and analogies (like “blow out birthday candles”)
• Demonstrate the maneuver visually
• Offer enthusiastic encouragement and feedback

Making spirometry engaging with visual incentives #

At ndd, we’ve designed tools like Buddy, our new spirometry coach, and animated incentives (think elephants and birthday cakes!) to help kids stay focused and motivated. These tools:

• Turn testing into a game
• Provide real-time feedback
• Help children understand what’s expected

With the right support, even children as young as 4 or 5 can produce reliable spirometry results. ³

What clinicians look for in spirometry #

Once a high-quality test is completed, clinicians assess:

• FEV₁/FVC ratio: A reduced ratio may indicate obstruction
• Bronchodilator response: An increase in FEV₁ of ≥12% and ≥200 mL supports asthma diagnosis ⁴

These objective measures, combined with a child’s history and symptoms, may help confirm asthma or point to another condition.

Final thoughts on spirometry in pediatrics #

Diagnosing asthma in children requires more than just a stethoscope—it takes patience, creativity, and coaching. With the right approach, spirometry becomes not just possible, but powerful. And when kids feel supported and understood, they’re more likely to give their best effort.

Want to see how Buddy, our friendly spirometry coach, can help your practice? See Buddy in action here.

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  Buddy

  Expert spirometry coach