Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jul 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

Pharmaceutical treatment strategies for childhood asthma

Kai-Håkon Carlsen1, Karin C L Carlsen

  • 1Voksentoppen Department of Paediatrics, Rikshospitalet, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway. k.h.carlsen@medisin.uio.no

Current Opinion in Allergy and Clinical Immunology
|March 5, 2008
PubMed

Insights

Current childhood asthma treatment guidelines face ongoing debates, particularly regarding inhaled steroid use and medication choices. Further research specifically for pediatric asthma is crucial to resolve these treatment controversies.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Pulmonology
  • Allergy and Immunology
  • Clinical Pediatrics

Background:

  • Asthma management in children has improved, but treatment controversies persist.
  • Recent findings challenge established pediatric asthma treatment dogmas.
  • Accurate diagnosis is fundamental for effective childhood asthma management.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To discuss current controversies in childhood asthma treatment.
  • To highlight recent findings questioning existing treatment paradigms.
  • To emphasize the need for pediatric-specific research.

Main Methods:

  • Review of recent publications on childhood asthma treatment.
  • Discussion of asthma phenotypes relevant to treatment decisions.
  • Analysis of debates surrounding early inhaled steroid use and add-on therapies.

Main Results:

  • Early inhaled steroid use in young children remains debated.
  • Preference between long-acting beta2-agonists and leukotriene receptor antagonists as add-on therapy is discussed.
  • Concurrent treatment of allergic rhinitis and asthma is recommended for better control.
  • New data on leukotriene receptor antagonists for exercise-induced asthma and acute infant bronchial obstruction are presented.

Conclusions:

  • Significant controversies persist in managing childhood asthma.
  • Studies conducted on adults cannot be reliably extrapolated to children.
  • There is a critical need for new studies specifically designed for pediatric asthma to address these unresolved treatment questions.
Abstract

More Related Videos

Dry Powder and Nebulized Aerosol Inhalation of Pharmaceuticals Delivered to Mice Using a Nose-only Exposure System07:28

Dry Powder and Nebulized Aerosol Inhalation of Pharmaceuticals Delivered to Mice Using a Nose-only Exposure System

Published on: April 6, 2017

Related Concept Videos

Asthma-IV: Diagnostic and Management01:30

Asthma-IV: Diagnostic and Management

The diagnosis and management of asthma are comprehensive, encompassing clinical assessments, lung function tests, and pharmacological interventions. Here's an overview:
Clinical Assessment for Asthma:
This is the first step in diagnosing and managing asthma. It includes:
Antiasthma Drugs: Mast Cell Stabilizers and Anti-IgE Drugs01:25

Antiasthma Drugs: Mast Cell Stabilizers and Anti-IgE Drugs

Asthma is a chronic respiratory condition for which new therapeutic avenues, including anti-inflammatory drugs like mast cell stabilizers and anti-IgE treatments, continue to be developed.
Mast cell stabilizers, such as cromolyn (also known as sodium cromoglycate) and nedocromil (Tilade), are effective drugs in asthma management. These stabilizers hinder histamine release by skillfully obstructing the activation of mast cells and other cellular entities. Notably, they navigate this task without...
Drugs Used in Lower Respiratory Disorders: Overview01:17

Drugs Used in Lower Respiratory Disorders: Overview

Lower respiratory tract disorders present challenges that often require skilled and nuanced approaches for effective management. Common ailments, such as asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), have prompted the development of intricate treatment strategies involving bronchodilators and anti-inflammatory drugs, each tailored to ease breathing and revitalize the lungs.
Bronchodilators, the first step of respiration enhancement, come in various forms, each with its own mechanism...
Antiasthma Drugs: Leukotriene Modifiers01:19

Antiasthma Drugs: Leukotriene Modifiers

Leukotriene modifiers, or cysteinyl leukotriene receptor antagonists, are medications used to manage chronic asthma. These agents target specific inflammatory mediators produced during arachidonic acid metabolism, an essential process in generating inflammation in the body.
Leukotriene modifiers work through two distinct mechanisms:
Antiasthma Drugs: Inhaled Corticosteroids and Glucocorticoids01:25

Antiasthma Drugs: Inhaled Corticosteroids and Glucocorticoids

Inhaled corticosteroids (ICS) are anti-inflammatory drugs used primarily in treating persistent asthma and providing long-term maintenance. They target the bronchial mucosa, the lining of the airways, to control inflammation, a critical factor in asthma progression and exacerbation.
ICS work through a multifaceted mechanism of action. They suppress the inflammatory response caused by the proliferation of TH cells. They also reduce the transcription of the IL-2 gene, which is involved in the...
Asthma-I: Introduction01:29

Asthma-I: Introduction

Asthma is a chronic respiratory ailment that requires careful management due to its varying symptoms and influencing factors. It is characterized by airway inflammation, bronchial hyperresponsiveness, and reversible airflow obstruction, leading to symptoms like wheezing, shortness of breath, chest tightness, and coughing. The symptom frequency and intensity may vary considerably over time. It is also linked to immune system responses to allergens and irritants, highlighting the complex...