A pilot survey of beta2-agonist inhaler availability for children with asthma during organized sporting events

One of the main stimuli that cause asthma exacerbations in children is physical activity, and exercise-induced bronchospasm (EIB) occurs in most asthmatic patients.

To investigate the level of preparedness for a potential EIB event in suburban children involved in recreational sports.

A cross-sectional study, focusing on children 12 years and younger, who participated in Little League baseball or soccer in Lower Merion Township, PA, was conducted by clinical survey. The survey was performed during a face-to-face encounter with the parent or caretaker of the child.

Five hundred seventy-nine children 12 years and younger were surveyed. The parents or caretakers of 80 reported a history of asthma, indicating a prevalence of 14%. Only 18 (22%) of these children with asthma were reported to have a rescue medicine readily available. The 95% confidence interval was 14.22% to 33.47%, indicating that we can be 95% certain that the true population with rescue medication lies between 14% and 33%.

Despite having been diagnosed as having asthma, more than 75% of children surveyed were unprepared for an EIB event. Measures should be explored to improve the quality of care of asthmatic children involved in community sports. We also propose that it may be beneficial for first-aid kits to include a beta2-agonist bronchodilator.