Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jul 10, 2025

Author Spotlight: Efficacy of Auricular Pressure Bean Therapy in Reducing Wheezing Symptoms
02:34

Author Spotlight: Efficacy of Auricular Pressure Bean Therapy in Reducing Wheezing Symptoms

Published on: May 10, 2024

980

Demystifying controversies in preschool wheeze

Frank M Smith1, Sejal Saglani1,2,3

  • 1Department of Respiratory Paediatrics, Royal Brompton Hospital, London, UK.

Expert Review of Respiratory Medicine
|November 18, 2023
PubMed

Insights

Preschool wheezing disorders are diverse, not a one-size-fits-all condition. Effective management requires identifying specific phenotypes rather than relying on standard corticosteroid treatments for all children.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Pulmonology
  • Allergy and Immunology

Background:

  • Preschool wheezing is common, but current treatments often assume uniformity.
  • Standard approaches use oral corticosteroids (OCS) for acute attacks and inhaled corticosteroids (ICS) for maintenance, despite variable patient response.
  • Increasing evidence highlights significant heterogeneity in preschool wheezing disorders.

Approach:

  • This review clarifies pathophysiological concepts in preschool wheezing.
  • It aims to demystify controversies surrounding these conditions and improve management strategies.
  • The focus is on understanding the variability in corticosteroid response based on disease severity and phenotype.

Key Points:

  • Preschool wheezing differs from school-age allergic asthma.
  • Limited evidence supports routine OCS use for acute preschool wheezing attacks.
  • Objective tests are crucial for diagnosing phenotypes before initiating maintenance therapy.

Conclusions:

  • A staged diagnostic approach is essential for preschool wheezing.
  • Identifying the pathological phenotype guides effective symptom control and attack prevention.
  • Personalized treatment strategies are necessary due to the heterogeneity of preschool wheezing disorders.
Abstract

Keywords:
Allergic sensitizationdiagnosiseosinophilsinfectionmanagementneutrophilsphenotypepreschool wheeze

More Related Videos

Noninvasive Sampling of Mucosal Lining Fluid for the Quantification of In Vivo Upper Airway Immune-mediator Levels05:31

Noninvasive Sampling of Mucosal Lining Fluid for the Quantification of In Vivo Upper Airway Immune-mediator Levels

Published on: August 7, 2017

10.4K
Behavioral Assessment of Hearing in 2 to 4 Year-old Children: A Two-interval, Observer-based Procedure Using Conditioned Play-based Responses14:05

Behavioral Assessment of Hearing in 2 to 4 Year-old Children: A Two-interval, Observer-based Procedure Using Conditioned Play-based Responses

Published on: January 23, 2017

29.2K

Related Concept Videos

Pulmonary Cycle: Exhalation01:17

Pulmonary Cycle: Exhalation

In terms of human respiration, the act of expelling air, known as exhalation (or expiration), operates on the principle of pressure gradients. During expiration, the pressure within the lungs exceeds that of the surrounding atmosphere. Under normal conditions, quiet breathing involves passive exhalation and is free of muscular contractions. This is because the exhalation process is driven by the natural elastic recoil of the lungs and chest wall, both of which have an inherent tendency to...
1.6K
Upper Respiratory Drugs: Antitussives, Expectorants, and Mucolytics01:23

Upper Respiratory Drugs: Antitussives, Expectorants, and Mucolytics

Respiratory symptoms, such as congestion and cough, commonly accompany respiratory tract conditions. Various medications, such as antitussives, expectorants, and mucolytics, play crucial roles in providing relief.
Antitussives include codeine, dextromethorphan (Robitussin), and benzonatate (Tessalon). Codeine and dextromethorphan exert their effects centrally by suppressing the cough reflex center in the medulla.  Benzonatate operates peripherally within the respiratory tract by...
298
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...
2.6K
Common Respiratory Disorders01:31

Common Respiratory Disorders

Respiratory disorders, a prevalent health concern globally, are generally divided into two primary categories: upper and lower respiratory tract disorders. The categorization is based on the area of the respiratory system they affect.
Upper respiratory disorders impact the airways above the vocal cords, encompassing areas like the nose, sinuses, and throat. Various conditions fall under this category, including the common cold and allergic rhinitis. These disorders can stem from several causes,...
590
Asthma-III: Symptoms and Complications01:24

Asthma-III: Symptoms and Complications

Asthma, a common chronic respiratory condition, is classified considering the frequency and severity of symptoms alongside lung function impairment. Understanding this classification is essential for appropriate treatment and management. Here's a detailed look at the classification of asthma and its clinical features and complications:
Classification of Asthma
2.5K
Breathing01:05

Breathing

The process of breathing, inhaling and exhaling, involves the coordinated movement of the chest wall, the lungs, and the muscles that move them. Two muscle groups with important roles in breathing are the diaphragm, located directly below the lungs, and the intercostal muscles, which lie between the ribs. When the diaphragm contracts, it moves downward, increasing the volume of the thoracic cavity and creating more room for the lungs to expand. When the intercostal muscles contract, the ribs...
59.4K