Bronchial Asthma in Youth: A Brief Concept Review

Bronchial asthma is a respiratory chronic disorder frequently affecting youth. It is characterized by a huge personal, familial, and societal impact. Biological and cellular studies in recent decades define asthma as a chronic inflammatory disease of the airways. Inflammation represents the major pathogenetic factor underlying the airflow obstruction and bronchial hyperactivity that peculiarly characterize asthma. When bronchial asthma is diagnosed after too long a delay and treated too late or inadequately, structural remodeling of the whole bronchial wall can occur and lead to persistent limitations in lung function and quality of life. Although adult asthma and asthma in youth may be recognized by some common pathogenetic mechanisms, there are some important differences that justify a peculiar approach to asthma in young individuals, worth particular attention. Anatomical, physiological, social, and emotional aspects that differentiate asthma in children and adolescence are briefly revised and highlighted in the present review.