most common chronic disease of childhood
leading cause of childhood morbidity of disease

school absences
EM presentations
hospitalisations

typically begins in early childhood
earlier onset in males vs females

Atopy with asthma in > 3years

risk factors
allergen specific

aeroallergen (dust mite, animal dander, fungi)
maternal diet during pregnancy / lactation (preventative)
pollutants (tobacco smoke, biomass fuels)
microbes + products
psychosocial
C-section higher #s than vaginal birth

definition
chronic inflammatory disorder of airways with assoc airway hyperresponsiveness
recurrent

wheeze (esp recurrent / with sleep / or with triggers - laughing or crying)
breathlessness
chest tightness
coughing

** in

DIAGNOSIS
difficult to Dx younger than 5 yrs
oft made on symptom patterns / clinical / FHx

DDx

Pharmacotherapy
inhaled via MDI with spacer (level A evidence for spacer) + mask if
controller medications
inhaled glucocorticoids

increased lung function
increased # Sx-free days
reduced exacerbations / need for adn medications

	Created by Karin Heeney over 11 years ago

presentation and management of asthma in paediatric patient