The "wheezy infant" diagnosis, epidemiology and management

Already in the earliest childhood, the onset of an allergic/immunologic inflammatory process may be caused on the basis of an inherited predisposition by an exaggerated mediator-release in the mucosa. Repeated action of trigger factors maintain this inflammation and provoke exacerbations of asthmatic symptoms. The protective task of the bronchial mucosa can not be fulfilled anymore. However, the most important goal of the approach to identify and treat wheezy infants is to avoid structural damage of bronchi and the lung by the underlying process for later life. General measures of treatment such as prophylaxis against house-dust-mite exposure, improved breathing technique and improvement of lung clearance are indispensable measures of an individually adapted, effective symptomatic (bronchodilators) and protective (cromoglycate, topical steroids) drug therapy in infants and young children with the so called "wheezy baby syndrome". A successful therapy should ensure a physiological development of the child.