Management of the child with recurrent asthma

A rational approach to the evaluation of the child with chronic asthma has been presented. The importance of careful historical, physical, and pulmonary assessment is stressed, especially since asthma may exist without overt wheezing. General allergic as well as sequential pharmacologic management of this disease is also discussed. A knowledge of the biochemical and pathophysiologic alterations in asthma should lead to rational and specific therapy that preserves normal function and decreases the long-term morbidity and mortality of the disease.