The evolution of scientific knowledge in childhood asthma over time

Paediatric asthma management has undergone a significant transformation from rudimentary assessments in the early 20th century to sophisticated diagnostic and therapeutic approaches today. Early clinical observations lacked paediatric specificity, but mid-20th-century studies introduced functional assessments, spirometry and recognition of asthma as a chronic inflammatory condition. The introduction of inhaled corticosteroids transformed long-term management, offering targeted control with reduced systemic risks. Advances in noninvasive diagnostics, such as fractional exhaled nitric oxide, induced sputum analysis, exhaled breath condensate and electronic nose technology, have improved inflammation monitoring, phenotype classification and therapeutic responsiveness. The integration of omics technologies, i.e. genomics, proteomics and metabolomics, has enabled deeper insights into disease mechanisms and facilitated early, individualised interventions. Concurrently, artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning are emerging as tools for predicting exacerbations, identifying clinical subtypes and enhancing decision-making through large-scale data integration. Despite these advancements, challenges remain around standardisation, data quality and ensuring equitable access. This narrative review synthesises decades of progress in paediatric asthma care, emphasising the transition from empirical treatment to personalised, biomarker-driven strategies. It highlights current gaps, particularly in algorithm transparency, paediatric-specific validation and holistic care integration. As asthma management enters an era of digital health and AI-assisted precision medicine, future success will depend on interdisciplinary collaboration, real-world validation and policies that close care disparities.