Asthma is a chronic disease that directly affects the airways and occurs in both children and adults. It can appear at any age, but it is more frequent in childhood, making children face special challenges. Dr. Carlos Carrasco, pediatrician of Clinica Ricardo Palma, comments that the causes that originate this disease are still not clear, however, there are some triggering factors such as inherited tendency to generate allergies, parents with asthma, respiratory tract infections, exposure to environmental factors such as cigarette smoke, exposure to allergens (dust mites, mold, pet dander).

Symptoms

Here are some symptoms that may occur in children with asthma:

• Nighttime-predominant cough
• Wheezing sound when breathing
• Shortness of breath
• Shortness of breath or rapid breathing

On the other hand, the warning signs to pay more attention to are difficulty walking or talking, the presence of purple or bluish color in the nails due to lack of oxygen, if the child seems confused or reacts less than usual. If these symptoms are detected, an emergency medical evaluation is warranted.

Diagnosis

Childhood asthma is diagnosed by clinical picture. That is to say, when the symptoms already mentioned are present and it is verified that there are own or family antecedents, such as allergies, asthma, rhinitis or atopic dermatitis.

Complementary tests are also performed depending on the age of the child, such as pulmonary function tests, including spirometry and skin allergy testing.

Treatment

There is no curative treatment for this respiratory disease. However, there are control medications that have the capacity to keep the patient’s lungs healthy and prevent the asthma from worsening, such as control and acute crisis treatment, which is mainly carried out by inhalation. Here we find fast-acting bronchodilators such as salbutamol and oral or intravenous corticosteroids.

The patient with controlled childhood asthma can lead a normal life like any other child, including physical or sports activities without problems. It is important that the child has a medical control periodically, strictly following the medical indications.

Dr. Carlos Carrasco
Pediatrician of Clínica Ricardo Palma