Childhood Asthma Overview

Study Notes

Childhood asthma is the same lung disease as adults, but children have different symptoms.
Children's lungs and airways may become inflamed due to colds, pollen, or other irritants.
Asthma symptoms can make it challenging for children to participate in daily activities and sleep.
There is no cure for childhood asthma, but treatment can help control symptoms and prevent lung damage.

Asthma attacks cause the bronchial tubes to swell and produce extra mucus.
Common symptoms include persistent coughing, coughing spells, especially during play or exercise, reduced energy, trouble sleeping, rapid breathing, chest tightness or pain, wheezing, shortness of breath, and trouble eating in infants.

Common triggers include airway infections, allergens such as cockroaches, dust mites, mold, pet dander, and pollen, irritants like air pollution, chemicals, cold air, odors, or smoke, exercise, and stress.

Asthma is a leading cause of long-term illness in children, affecting approximately 7 million kids in the US.
Most children develop symptoms by the age of 5, but asthma can begin at any age.
Risk factors include nasal allergies, eczema, family history of asthma or allergies, frequent respiratory infections, low birth weight, exposure to secondhand smoke, African-American or Puerto Rican descent, and growing up in a low-income environment.

Asthma symptoms may be gone by the time the child reaches the doctor's office.
Diagnosis involves reviewing medical history and symptoms, physical examination, and tests such as chest X-ray, spirometry, allergy skin testing, blood tests, and nitric oxide (eNO) breath test.

Two main types of asthma medications: quick-relief and long-acting.
Quick-relief medications provide immediate relief during an asthma attack. They include inhaled corticosteroids, inhaled short-acting beta2-agonists (SABAs), and short-acting anticholinergics.
Long-acting medications prevent airway inflammation and control asthma. They include oral corticosteroids, inhaled long-acting bronchodilators, leukotriene modifiers, inhaled mast cell stabilizers, biologic medicines, and allergy shots.

Doctors determine the frequency of breathing treatments based on the severity of asthma.
Medications can be administered using an inhaler, a spacer, or a home nebulizer.

Asthma medications, particularly steroids, can have side effects such as mouth and throat irritation, slow growth, bone problems, and cataracts.
However, untreated asthma can lead to health problems and hospitalization.
Children with asthma should get a flu shot annually to prevent complications.