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Auricular Acupressure as an Adjuvant Treatment for Wheezing in Stable Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease
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Published on: May 10, 2024

Hospital admissions for wheezing and asthma in childhood--are they avoidable?

Lise Reindal1, Knut Øymar

  • 1Department of Pediatrics, Stavanger University Hospital, 4068 Stavanger, Norway. oykn@sus.no

The Journal of Asthma : Official Journal of the Association for the Care of Asthma
|December 16, 2006
PubMed

Insights

Many childhood asthma and wheezing hospital admissions could be prevented. Improving prehospital emergency care, prophylactic asthma treatment, and reducing parental smoking are key strategies for better pediatric respiratory health outcomes.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Pulmonology
  • Respiratory Medicine
  • Public Health

Background:

  • Hospital admission rates for pediatric asthma and wheezing remain high.
  • Younger children are particularly affected, indicating a need for improved management strategies.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate prehospital emergency treatment, prophylactic asthma care, and risk factors associated with hospital admissions for pediatric asthma and wheezing.
  • To identify potential areas for intervention to reduce hospitalizations.

Main Methods:

  • A prospective study was conducted over one year at Stavanger University Hospital.
  • Data collected included prehospital emergency treatment, prophylactic asthma medication use, and risk factors for 337 admissions in 288 children.

Main Results:

  • Recommended inhaled emergency treatment was given in only 33% of admissions.
  • Prophylactic inhaled corticosteroids were prescribed before 43% of asthma admissions, and beta2-agonists before 74%.
  • Parental smoking was identified as a frequent risk factor.

Conclusions:

  • There is significant potential to prevent hospital admissions for pediatric asthma and wheezing.
  • Improving prophylactic care, prehospital emergency treatment, and addressing parental smoking are crucial.
  • Enhanced education and guideline implementation are recommended to improve pediatric respiratory care.

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