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Prodromal features of asthma
Insights
Asthma attacks in children may be predicted by prodromal symptoms like cough and behavioral changes. Recognizing these early signs, such as increased serum IgE, can help initiate treatment sooner.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Pulmonology
- Allergology
- Immunology
Background:
- Bronchial asthma is a common chronic respiratory condition in children.
- Asthma attacks can be preceded by various symptoms, but their predictive value is not fully understood.
- Serum IgE levels are associated with allergic conditions and may play a role in asthma pathogenesis.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate prodromal symptoms preceding asthma attacks in children.
- To explore the relationship between these prodromal symptoms and serum IgE concentrations.
- To determine if identifying prodromal symptoms can aid in early asthma management.
Main Methods:
- A cohort of 134 ambulatory children with bronchial asthma was studied.
- Patients were monitored for prodromal symptoms including respiratory, behavioral, and gastrointestinal changes.
- Serum IgE levels were measured and correlated with the presence of prodromal symptoms and age.
Main Results:
- A significant proportion of children (95/134) experienced a consistent set of prodromal symptoms before asthma attacks.
- These symptoms included cough, rhinorrhoea, wheezing, behavioral changes, gastrointestinal issues, fever, itching, skin eruptions, and toothache.
- A significant age-related increase in serum IgE was observed in children with prodromal symptoms, but not in those with acute onset.
Conclusions:
- Prodromal symptoms are a common and consistent feature preceding asthma attacks in many children.
- The presence of prodromal symptoms is associated with age-related increases in serum IgE.
- Early recognition of these prodromal symptoms may facilitate timely intervention, potentially preventing or shortening asthma exacerbations.
Abstract:
One hundred and thirty four ambulatory children with bronchial asthma were investigated in the Pediatric Pulmonary-Allergic Service. In 95 patients an interval characterised by prodromal respiratory symptoms (cough, rhinorrhoea, and wheezing), behavioural changes (irritability, apathy, anxiety, and sleep disorders), gastrointestinal symptoms (abdominal pain and anorexia), fever, itching, skin eruptions, and toothache preceded the onset of the attack of asthma. Each child had his own constant set of prodromal findings. A significant age related increase in serum IgE concentrations was observed in these patients. No such relation was observed in children with an acute onset of attack of asthma without any preceding symptoms. We suggest that awareness of these prodromal symptoms may lead to an early introduction of treatment, thus avoiding or abbreviating some of the acute attacks of asthma.