Asthma and Allergy > Asthma > Triggers > Pediatric Asthma

Pediatric asthma

Asthma causes more hospital and emergency room visits than any other chronic childhood disease. Children with well-controlled asthma, however, should not need to visit the emergency room or hospital for their asthma nor miss school. They should be able to participate in any activity or sport they choose.

Children can be involved in their own asthma care, learning to watch for early symptoms and taking their own peak flow meter readings. Until your child is old enough to keep an asthma diary and follow an asthma action plan without help, you will need to take special care in monitoring, treating and recording symptoms and peak flow readings.

Many children outgrow asthma symptoms, although the underlying condition – extra-sensitive bronchial tube lining – may remain throughout life. At least half of all children with asthma outgrow the symptoms of it by age 15. Smoking may trigger the return of the problem.

Treatment

Children too young to use an inhaler often are treated with a machine called a nebulizer. This device uses compressed air or ultrasonic sound waves to turn a solution of liquid medication into a fine mist, which the child breathes in through a mask. Some medicines are not delivered as well through ultrasonic nebulizers, so check with your doctor before using this type of machine.

Prevention

Talk with your child’s teachers or day care provider about asthma. Let them know what symptoms to watch for. Make sure the day care provider, teacher and school health office have copies of your child’s asthma action plan. Also, be sure your child has a separate supply of medications at school or day care.