Medical Tests & Exams

• Pulse Oximetry (Pulse Ox)

  Pulse oximetry, a simple test that measures the amount of oxygen in the bloodstream, may give the first clue that there is a heart or lung problem.

• Sleep Study (Polysomnogram)

  A sleep study (or polysomnogram) helps doctors diagnose sleep problems. It is an overnight test that can record a variety of body functions while a child sleeps.

• Spinal Cord Injuries

  A spinal cord injury is when the spinal cord gets cut, bruised, stretched, or poked. It can change the way the body moves, feels, and functions.

• Spinal Tap (Lumbar Puncture)

  Find out how and why doctors perform lumbar punctures (spinal taps).

• Spirometry

  Spirometry measures how much and how quickly someone breathes in and out. It can help diagnose and monitor diseases that make it hard to breathe.

• Stool Test: Bacteria Culture

  A stool culture helps doctors see if there’s a bacterial infection in the intestines.

• Stool Test: C. Difficile Toxin

  Doctors may order a C. difficile toxin stool test if a child has taken antibiotics in the past month or so and has had diarrhea for several days.

• Stool Test: Fecal Blood

  The fecal occult blood test checks for blood in the stool that can’t be seen by the naked eye.

• Stool Test: Giardia

  This test may be done if a child has watery diarrhea, belly pain, lots of intestinal gas, appetite loss, and nausea or vomiting.

• Stool Test: H. Pylori Antigen

  Doctors may order an H. pylori antigen stool test if a child has symptoms of a peptic ulcer, such as indigestion, belly pain, a full or bloated feeling, nausea, frequent belching, or vomiting.