Parents often ask, “Will my child outgrow asthma?” In 2000, the Childhood Asthma Management Program (CAMP) Research Group reported that children aged 5 to 12 years with persistent asthma who were treated with inhaled corticosteroids for approximately 5 years had better asthma control than children who were treated with nedocromil or placebo. After active treatment was stopped, asthma control and lung function did not differ among groups.
To describe the natural history of childhood asthma, the CAMP Research Group assessed outcomes in 909 (86%) of the original cohort after a washout period and another 4 years of treatment and follow-up by their personal physicians.
Based on reports of symptoms, exacerbations, and medication use, only 6% of children had remitting asthma (absence of any asthma activity at the last 4 encounters), while 39% had periodic asthma and 55% had persistent asthma. Prior use of inhaled corticosteroids during the CAMP trial had no effect on lung function or asthma remission during the 4-year follow-up period.
Predictors of persistent asthma included atopy, low lung function, and increased airway hyperresponsiveness. Sensitization and exposure to indoor allergens were associated with three times the risk for persistent asthma. Asthma severity improved over time for all three asthma groups, but more-severe asthma at study enrollment was associated with more-severe asthma during adolescence.
http://pediatrics.jwatch.org/cgi/content/full/2010/303/1