Related Experiment Video

Updated: Aug 7, 2026

Bronchial Thermoplasty: A Novel Therapeutic Approach to Severe Asthma
14:39

Bronchial Thermoplasty: A Novel Therapeutic Approach to Severe Asthma

Published on: November 4, 2010

Severe chronic asthma

Malcolm R Sears1

  • 1Firestone Institute for Respiratory Health, St. Joseph's Hospital-McMaster University, 50 Charlton Avenue East, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada L8N 4A6. searsm@mcmaster.ca

Paediatric Respiratory Reviews
|June 27, 2006
PubMed

Insights

Persistent childhood asthma, often seen in females with atopy, can impair lung function. Understanding its pathology and treatment response is crucial for effective management when standard therapies fail.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Pulmonology
  • Immunology
  • Allergy Research

Background:

  • Persistent childhood asthma affects females with atopy and early onset, potentially causing significant lung function impairment.
  • Pathological changes in severe pediatric asthma are not fully understood.
  • The correlation between pathology, treatment response, and asthma persistence is imprecise.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To explore the pathological underpinnings of persistent childhood asthma.
  • To investigate the relationship between asthma pathology, treatment efficacy, and disease persistence.
  • To highlight the importance of reassessment in non-responsive cases.

Main Methods:

  • Review of existing literature on severe childhood asthma.
  • Analysis of pathological findings in pediatric asthma cases.
  • Correlation studies between clinical presentation, treatment response, and disease outcomes.

Main Results:

  • Asthma in childhood is more prevalent in females with atopy and early onset.
  • Significant impairment of lung function can occur.
  • Pathological details remain partially defined, impacting treatment precision.

Conclusions:

  • Failure to respond to standard asthma therapies necessitates a thorough differential diagnosis.
  • Consideration of inflammation type, patient compliance, and ongoing monitoring is vital.
  • Re-assessment is critical for managing persistent and severe childhood asthma.

Related Concept Videos

Asthma-III: Symptoms and Complications01:24

Asthma-III: Symptoms and Complications

Asthma, a common chronic respiratory condition, is classified considering the frequency and severity of symptoms alongside lung function impairment. Understanding this classification is essential for appropriate treatment and management. Here's a detailed look at the classification of asthma and its clinical features and complications:
Classification of Asthma
Asthma III: Clinical Manifestations01:13

Asthma III: Clinical Manifestations

Asthma presents with a characteristic pattern of episodic respiratory symptoms that reflect underlying airway inflammation, bronchoconstriction, and mucus hypersecretion. Although severity varies among individuals, certain clinical manifestations are considered hallmarks of the disorder and often guide diagnosis and assessment.Respiratory SymptomsA persistent cough is one of the most common early features of asthma. It is frequently dry and tends to worsen at night or in the early morning,...
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease III: Chronic Bronchitis Features01:24

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease III: Chronic Bronchitis Features

Chronic bronchitis is a key phenotype of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), characterized by airway-centered inflammation and mucus overproduction. It develops from long-term exposure to harmful particles or gases, most commonly cigarette smoke, which triggers a persistent inflammatory response.Cellular and Structural ChangesInflammation initially affects the large bronchi and later the smaller airways, with infiltration by immune cells, including neutrophils, macrophages, and...
Asthma I: Introduction01:28

Asthma I: Introduction

Asthma is a chronic inflammatory disorder of the airways characterized by variable airflow obstruction and heightened bronchial responsiveness to a wide range of triggers. The underlying inflammation leads to airway swelling, mucus hypersecretion, and smooth muscle constriction, all of which narrow the airway lumen and impede airflow. Clinically, asthma presents with recurrent episodes of wheezing, shortness of breath, chest tightness, and coughing, symptoms that typically vary in intensity and...
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease II: Emphysema01:23

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease II: Emphysema

Emphysema, a major phenotype of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), is characterized by irreversible destruction of alveolar walls and permanent enlargement of distal airspaces. Unlike chronic bronchitis, which primarily affects the airways, emphysema predominantly involves the lung parenchyma, where structural damage leads to airflow limitation.PathophysiologyIt most commonly results from prolonged exposure to cigarette smoke and other toxic gases, particularly cigarette smoke.
Asthma-II: Pathophysiology and Classification01:26

Asthma-II: Pathophysiology and Classification

Asthma is a prevalent chronic respiratory condition marked by inflammation and hyperresponsiveness of the airways. Its pathophysiology involves complex interactions among inflammatory pathways, immune responses, and neural mechanisms.
Additionally, environmental and genetic factors play crucial roles in determining an individual's susceptibility to asthma and the severity of their condition.
Critical processes in asthma pathophysiology include: