Asthma in Children

How is asthma diagnosed in children?

Asthma is often difficult to diagnose in infants. However, in older children the disease can often be diagnosed based on your child's medical history, symptoms, and physical exam.

* Medical history and symptom description. Your child's doctor will be interested in any history of breathing problems you or your child may have had, as well as a family history of asthma, allergies, a skin condition called eczema, or other lung disease. It is important that you describe your child's symptoms—cough, wheezing, shortness of breath, chest pain or tightness—in detail, including when and how often these symptoms have been occurring.


* Physical exam. During the physical examination, the doctor will listen to your child's heart and lungs.


* Tests. Many children will also have a chest X-ray and pulmonary function tests. Also called lung function tests, these tests measure the amount of air in the lungs and how fast it can be exhaled. The results help the doctor determine how severe the asthma is. Generally, children younger than 5 are unable to perform pulmonary function tests. Thus doctors rely heavily on history, symptoms and examination in making the diagnosis.

Other tests may also be ordered to help identify particular asthma triggers. These tests may include allergy skin testing, blood tests and X-rays to determine if sinus infections or gastroesophageal reflux disease (a gastrointestinal condition that causes reflux of acid stomach contents into the esophagus or even into the lungs) is complicating asthma.

How is asthma treated in kids?

Based on your child's history and the severity of asthma, his or her doctor will develop a care plan, called an "asthma action plan." The asthma action plan describes when and how your child should use asthma medications, what to do when asthma gets worse, and when to seek emergency care for your child. Make sure you understand this plan and ask your child's doctor any questions you may have.

Your child's asthma action plan is important to successfully controlling his or her asthma. Keep it handy to remind you of your child's daily asthma management plan, as well as to guide you when your child develops asthma symptoms.

In addition to following your child's asthma action plan, you want to make sure exposure to asthma triggers is limited, and preferably avoided.

What asthma medications can children take?

If an infant or child is experiencing symptoms of asthma requiring treatment with a bronchodilator medication more than twice a week, most doctors recommend daily anti-inflammatory medication.

Most asthma medications that are given to adults and older children can also safely be prescribed to toddlers and younger children. Medications that are approved for younger children are given in doses adjusted for their age and weight. Specifically, children 4 years and up may be prescribed the asthma inhaler Advair. Advair treats both airway inflammation and bronchoconstriction. Another antiinflammatory medication called Pulmicort Respules has been approved for children ages 12 months and up. In the case of inhaled medications, a different delivery device based on the child's age and ability may be required. (Many children aren't able to coordinate their breathing well enough to use a standard inhaler.)

How do I give my child asthma medication?

You will probably give your child asthma medications using a home nebulizer, also known as a breathing machine. A nebulizer delivers asthma medications, usually bronchodilators, by changing them from a liquid to a mist. Your child gets the medicine by breathing it in through a facemask. These breathing treatments usually take about 10-15 minutes and are given several times a day. Your child's doctor will tell you how often to give your child breathing treatments, based on the severity of his or her asthma.

Your child may be able to use a metered dose inhaler (MDI) with a spacer. A spacer is a chamber that attaches to the MDI and holds the burst of medication. Talk with your child's doctor to see if an MDI with spacer is right for your child.

How do I know when my child's asthma is well controlled?

You know your child's asthma is well controlled if, with medications, your child:

* Lives an active, normal life
* Has few troublesome symptoms
* Attends school every day
* Performs daily activities without difficulty
* Has few urgent visits to the doctor, emergency department, or hospital for asthma
* Has few medication side effects

By learning about asthma and how it can be controlled, you take an important step toward managing your child's disease. We encourage you to work closely with your child's asthma care team to learn all you can about asthma, how to avoid triggers, what medications do, and how to correctly give them. With proper care, your child can live free of asthma symptoms and maintain a normal, healthy lifestyle.

Will my child outgrow asthma?

Once a person's airways become sensitive (asthma), they remain that way for life. However, about 50% of children experience a noticeable decrease in asthma symptoms by the time they become adolescents, therefore appearing to have "outgrown" their asthma. About half of these children will develop symptoms again in their 30's and/or 40's. Unfortunately, there is no way to predict whose symptoms will decrease during adolescence and whose will return later in life.

What do I do when my child has an asthma attack?

If your child is showing symptoms of an asthma attack:

* Give your child his/her reliever (bronchodilator) medicine according to the asthma action plan.
* Wait five to fifteen minutes. If the symptoms disappear, your child should be able to resume whatever activity they were doing. If symptoms persist, follow your child's asthma action plan for further therapy. If your child fails to improve or you are not sure what action to take, call your child's physician.
* Danger signs are severe wheezing, severe coughing, trouble walking and/or talking or blue lips and/or fingernails. If any of these are present go to the emergency department.