Immuno-allergologic aspects of childhood asthma

Asthma has a major impact on the health of children. Airway inflammation and bronchial hyperresponsiveness of variable severity have presently come to be considered underlying the pathogenesis and pathophysiology of the condition. Atopy in infancy seems to predict the severity of bronchial hyperresponsiveness in later childhood. Genetic predisposition, allergen exposure and contributory factors combine to set the clinical picture. Early sensitization to ingested or inhaled allergens accelerates development of allergic asthma. In children, the activity of inflammation can be assessed by estimation of indirect markers.