Japanese guidelines for childhood asthma 2017

Area of Science:

• Pediatric Allergy and Immunology
• Respiratory Medicine
• Clinical Practice Guidelines

Background:

• The Japanese Society of Pediatric Allergy and Clinical Immunology revised guidelines for childhood asthma.
• The Japanese Guideline for the Diagnosis and Treatment of Allergic Diseases 2017 (JAGL 2017) incorporates updates to the 2012 pediatric asthma guideline.
• Existing guidelines provide a framework for asthma diagnosis and management in children.

Purpose of the Study:

• To outline diagnostic criteria for asthma in children aged 0-15 years.
• To provide evidence-based recommendations for managing childhood asthma, including acute exacerbations.
• To offer guidance on non-pharmacological and pharmacological treatment strategies for pediatric asthma.

Main Methods:

• Revision and integration of the Japanese Pediatric Guideline for the Treatment and Management of Asthma 2012 into JAGL 2017.
• Development of recommendations for asthma diagnosis and management in infants, children, and adolescents.
• Emphasis on early diagnosis and intervention for children under five years old.

Main Results:

• JAGL 2017 details asthma diagnosis in children aged 0-15.
• The guideline provides clear strategies for managing acute asthma exacerbations.
• It recommends step-up or step-down pharmacological management based on asthma control levels, including inhaled corticosteroids and leukotriene receptor antagonists.

Conclusions:

• JAGL 2017 offers a practical approach to childhood asthma management for non-specialist physicians.
• The guideline uniquely emphasizes early diagnosis and intervention in pre-school aged children.
• It promotes aiming for complete asthma control through trigger avoidance and appropriate anti-inflammatory therapy.