The origins of childhood asthma

Asthma is a clinical syndrome characterised by airways hyperresponsiveness and airway inflammation. There are three primary environmental exposures that lead to airway inflammation: allergen exposure, environmental tobacco smoke exposure, and viral respiratory infections. These exposures, separately or combined, result in clinical disease relatively early in childhood in genetically susceptible individuals. Treatment has evolved along two distinct lines: anti-inflammatory medications and exposure avoidance. Both approaches need further research and development.