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[Severe asthma in children: identification and investigation]

V Marchac1, P Scheinmann, J de Blic

  • 1Service de pneumologie et d'allergologie pédiatriques, hôpital Necker-enfants-malades, AP-HP, 149, rue de Sèvres, 75743 Paris codex, France. valentine.marchac@nck.ap-hop-paris.fr <valentine.marchac@nck.ap-hop-paris.fr>

Archives De Pediatrie : Organe Officiel De La Societe Francaise De Pediatrie
|August 11, 2004
PubMed

Insights

Severe asthma in children requires careful assessment to rule out other conditions and identify risk factors. Specialized diagnostic work-ups, including imaging and procedures, are crucial for accurate diagnosis and management.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Pulmonology
  • Allergy and Immunology

Context:

  • Severe asthma in children presents with persistent symptoms or bronchial obstruction despite adequate treatment.
  • High-dose inhaled or systemic corticosteroids carry significant side effects, necessitating precise assessment.

Purpose:

  • To outline a diagnostic strategy for children with suspected severe asthma.
  • To emphasize the importance of excluding differential diagnoses and identifying risk factors.

Summary:

  • Initial assessment involves ruling out risk factors like smoking, ENT issues, persistent allergies, and gastro-esophageal reflux, alongside a chest X-ray.
  • Confirmation of severe asthma requires referral to a specialized center for advanced diagnostics, including thoracic CT and bronchoscopy.
  • Patient education in asthma schools and shorter consultation intervals are recommended for management.

Impact:

  • Establishes a clear pathway for diagnosing and managing severe pediatric asthma.
  • Aims to optimize treatment by ensuring accurate diagnosis and minimizing corticosteroid side effects.
  • Highlights the multidisciplinary approach needed for complex pediatric respiratory conditions.

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