Pediatric Pulmonology

Pediatric Asthma

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What is Asthma?

  • Asthma is a disease that affects the airways in the lungs. The airways are tubes that carry air in and out of the lungs.
  • If patients have asthma, the airways can become inflammed and narrowed at times.

What causes asthma in children?

  • After a child is exposed to a certain trigger, the body releases histamine and other agents that can cause inflammation in your child’s airways.
  • The body also releases other factors that can cause the muscles of the airways to tighten, or become smaller. There is also an INCREASE in mucus production that may clog the airways.
Pediatric-asthma-cause
Pediatric-asthma-about

WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS OF ASTHMA?

  • Wheezing (whistling sound) when breathing
  • Coughing
  • Rapid breathing
  • Labored breathing
  • Complaints of chest hurting
  • Reduced energy
  • Feeling weak or tired

Who is at risk of developing asthma?

Asthma affects people of all ages and often starts during childhood.


It is most commonly occurs in:
  • Children by the age of 5
  • Child with a family history of asthma
  • Children who have allergies
  • Children who have exposure to secondhand tobacco smoke

What are the triggers that can cause an asthma attack?

  • Allergens: Pollen, Mold, Certain foods
  • Respiratory Infections and Sinusitis: Infections can cause irritation of the airways, nose, throat, lungs, and sinuses, and worsens asthma.
  • Irritants: Strong odors and sprays, chemicals, air pollutants, changing weather conditions.
  • Sensitivity to Medications as aspirin, sulfites
  • Exercise
  • Gastroesophageal reflux
  • Smoke
  • Emotional Anxiety and Nervous Stress

Managing asthma in children

The child's doctor will determine which asthma medication is best based on the severity and frequency of symptoms and the child's age.

How do WE treat Asthma

Short-term reliever medicines

Short-term reliever medicines, also called quick-reliever medicines, help prevent symptoms or relieve symptoms during an asthma attack. They may be the only medicines needed for mild asthma or asthma that happens only with physical activity.


These medications are taken only on an as-needed basis.


Types:

  • Inhaled short-acting beta2-agonists: (SABAs) to quickly relax tight muscles around your airways.
  • Oral and intravenous (IV):
    • corticosteroids to reduce inflammation caused by severe asthma symptoms.
    • Short-acting anticholinergics to help open the airways quickly. Most commonly used is Albuterol.

controller medicines

Doctors may prescribe long-term control medicines to take daily to help prevent symptoms by reducing airway inflammation and preventing narrowing of the airways.


Include:

  • Corticosteroids to reduce the body’s inflammatory response.
  • Leukotriene modifiers to reduce inflammation and keep your airways open.
  • Mast cell stabilizers to help prevent airway inflammation when you are exposed to allergens or other triggers.
  • Inhaled long-acting bronchodilators such as long-acting beta2-agonists (LABAs), to keep the airways open by preventing narrowing of the airways.
  • Methylxanthines to treat acute exacerbations of asthma.
  • Omalizumab injection to treat moderate to severe asthma patients whose asthma is poorly contolled with inhaled cotricosteroids and inhaled long acting β2 agonist bronchodilators.

Emergency care

If patients have a severe asthma attack and need emergency care, they may be treated with medicines, such as those listed before, given with a nebulizer or IV.


Patients may also receive oxygen therapy or breathing assistance. This may include ventilator support or through a mask with forced air.

How to live with asthma?

All of the people who care a child should know about the child's asthma action plan. These include family members, child care providers, schools, camps, team coaches, and instructors. In an emergency, these people can help the child follow their asthma action plan.

Useful Material

Parents’ Guide to Asthma

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