Related Experiment Videos
Special problems in the management of chronic asthma in children
1Department of Paediatrics, National University of Singapore.
Insights
Children with asthma are often misdiagnosed. Early recognition and appropriate treatment with inhaled bronchodilators and steroids, alongside education, are key for effective childhood asthma management.
Area of Science:
- Pediatrics
- Pulmonology
- Allergy and Immunology
Background:
- Childhood asthma can be misdiagnosed presenting as chronic cough or wheezing post-upper respiratory infection.
- Misdiagnosis leads to inappropriate treatment with antibiotics and cough medicine, increasing morbidity.
- Poorly controlled childhood asthma often results from incorrect bronchodilator therapy and delayed prophylactic treatment.
Purpose of the Study:
- To highlight accurate diagnostic criteria for childhood asthma.
- To emphasize appropriate therapeutic strategies for managing pediatric asthma.
- To underscore the importance of inhaled corticosteroids and patient education in asthma control.
Main Methods:
- Review of clinical presentations of childhood asthma.
- Analysis of treatment outcomes with various asthma medications.
- Emphasis on age-appropriate inhalation device selection and technique.
Main Results:
- Bronchodilators are more effective than antibiotics or cough medicine for asthma symptoms post-URI.
- Inhaled beta-2-sympathomimetics are preferred over other forms.
- Inhaled beclomethasone dipropionate is effective for chronic asthma, minimizing systemic side effects and oral steroid needs.
Conclusions:
- Accurate diagnosis of childhood asthma is crucial to avoid complications.
- Optimal asthma management involves inhaled bronchodilators and corticosteroids, with careful consideration of device and age.
- Effective asthma control requires a combination of appropriate pharmacotherapy and comprehensive education for children and parents.
Abstract:
Children with asthma may be misdiagnosed when they present with chronic cough or wheezing following an upper respiratory infection. Such children are more appropriately treated with bronchodilators than with antibiotics and cough medicine. Failure to recognise these presentations of childhood asthma often lead to its increased morbidity. Inappropriate bronchodilator therapy and the failure to consider prophylactic drugs are common causes of poor control of childhood asthma. Wherever possible, the beta 2-sympathomimetics should be prescribed in the inhaled form. The inhalation methods and devices employed should be appropriate for the age of the child. Steroids are often necessary for good control in children with chronic asthma. Fear of their systemic side-effects may delay their use. These side-effects can be avoided if the inhaled beclomethasone dipropionate is used. The majority of chronic asthmatic children will improve with beclomethasone dipropionate without the need for additional oral steroids. It is important to note that successful management of childhood asthma does not only depend on the appropriate use of drugs but also the education of the child and parents on asthma.