1580 NW 10th Ave., 1st Floor
Miami, Florida 33136
About the Division of Pediatric Pulmonary Disease
UM Pediatric pulmonologists see patients in their brand-new, state-of-the-art, child-friendly clinic in the Batchelor Children’s Institute on the UM campus. The clinic is conveniently located at a short walk from JMH and adjacent to a parking garage and has ground-floor access off a green courtyard with fountains. The clean, bright, colorful clinic is roomy, quiet and comfortable for young patients and their parents alike. They also provide the full range of services at the University of Miami Kendall Medical Center, located at 8932 SW 97th Ave, Miami, Florida 33176. Patients are cared for by some of the most outstanding pediatric pulmonologists in the country. Their strengths include:
Asthma
Asthma is the most common chronic disease in children, estimated as affecting about 10% of the pediatric population in the U.S. It is a common cause of school absences, impaired sleep, and childhood hospitalizations. Asthma varies in severity; it is very important to identify mild asthma because of its impact on quality of life, exercise tolerance and ability to play. It is critical to diagnose serious asthma, because this potentially dangerous condition can be treated effectively and decrease or prevent the need for emergency visits and hospitalization. A precise definition of disease severity based on standardize sophisticated guidelines and the selection of the correct medications from the large and confusing array of treatment options, will assure excellent control of the disease while minimizing side-effects. Regular monitoring and follow-up of asthmatic patients secures the stability of our young patients.
The Division has a brand new state-of-the-art physiology laboratory to assist in the diagnosis and monitoring of the course of asthma. The technologies used include pulmonary function testing. Such measurements are designed to help diagnose asthma, upper airway obstruction and other diseases and disorders that affect breathing. Beyond the standard spirometry equipment that is used also in adults we have recently become one of a handful of centers in the country capable of performing these diagnostic measurements on infants by advanced technologies. To assist in the measurements in younger patients we have recently acquired a set of additional cutting-edge instruments including airway oscillation measurements, and systems to determine exhaled nitric oxide (NO) which monitors the presence and severity of airway inflammation. For the equivocal cases we can also perform sleep studies or diagnostic bronchoscopy (see below).
Advanced diagnostic technologies and new, effective and safe medications, can change the lives of children with asthma. UM pediatric pulmonologists work closely with asthma patients, parents and pediatricians to make sure they know what to do to stay healthy in school and on the playground, and to prevent night-time asthma, severe asthma attacks, and hospitalizations.
Cystic fibrosis
The UM Cystic Fibrosis Center is accredited by the National Cystic Fibrosis Foundation and considered a “center of excellence” for the treatment of cystic fibrosis in children and adults of all ages. To read a comprehensive article about our CF program that appeared in Miami Magazine, please click here.
Sleep medicine
A wide range of problems can prevent a child from falling asleep, staying asleep or sleeping soundly. Most commonly, the sleep laboratory identifies severe breathing abnormalities that present as snoring (also known as sleep apnea). Once such disorders are identified, effective therapies to prevent serious long-term damage can be started. UM experts in pediatric sleep medicine can determine the underlying cause and treat it to help children—and their parents—get the rest they need.
Pulmonary function testing
Pulmonary function testing encompasses a wide range of sophisticated tests designed to help diagnose asthma, upper airway obstruction and other diseases and disorders that affect breathing. The Division of Pediatric Pulmonary Medicine has recently become one of a handful of centers in the country capable of performing these diagnostic procedures on infants by State-of-the Art technology. The majority of these procedures can be performed in our new pulmonary clinic.
To schedule an appointment with a UM pediatric pulmonologist at either location, please call 305-243-6641, option 1.
Bronchoscopy
Bronchoscopy is a procedure which allows the airway to be inspected through highly sophisticated fiberoptic instruments. Bronchoscopy can be done at all ages and is typically performed for diagnosis of chronic infection or inflammation or to identify the cause of non-resolving cough or persistent clinical or radiologic abnormalities.
