The broad base of conditions covered under pulmonary services ranges from asthma to cystic fibrosis to accidental inhalation of foreign substances. If it affects a child's ability to breathe, pediatric pulmonologists have the expertise to help.

Physicians can get a better understanding of underlying conditions through diagnostic tools that include:

• Lung function tests
• Sleep studies
• Flexible bronchoscopy
• Cystic fibrosis sweat test
• Allergy testing
• Medical imaging, including magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the body, head, and spine; computerized axial tomography (CT) of the body and head; angiography; chest x-ray; lung scan; and positron emission tomography (PET)
• Other tools as needed

Once the cause is identified, pediatric pulmonologists use a variety of treatments, depending on the identified condition. Inpatient care is provided for emergency conditions such as respiratory failure, inhalation pneumonia, infectious diseases that affect the lungs, and inhalation of foreign bodies. Our Pulmonary Outpatient Clinic and the Cystic Fibrosis Clinic provide ongoing care to children with chronic respiratory conditions.

The Pulmonary Clinic operates under the medical direction of pediatric pulmonologists who are supported by a team that includes pediatric nurse practitioners, pediatric respiratory care practitioners, pediatric dieticians, clinical social workers and pediatric rehabilitation specialists, as needed. The team combines its expertise to develop a personal treatment and education plan for each patient and family.

Our pediatric pulmonology and allergy specialists are:

Bradley Chipps, M.D.
Joseph Marino, M.D.
Travis Miller, M.D.
Myrza Perez, M.D.

Classes and Support Groups are available for children and their families with certain conditions. Referrals to community agencies and resources are also provided. For more information about Pediatric Pulmonary Services, call (916) 733-1025.

For more information about respiratory diseases in children and treatments available, please visit our health information section.

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