An Introduction to Asthma in Childhood
Childhood asthma may present similarly to or differently from asthma in adults. A child’s symptoms may include the classic asthma symptoms, such as coughing, wheezing (a whistling sound when he or she breathes), shortness of breath, chest tightness, and/or mucus production. However, asthma in younger children may also present with:
- Repeated episodes of bronchitis, bronchiolitis, pneumonia, and croup
- Chronic coughing with colds (upper respiratory tract infections)
- Recurrent chest congestion.
Symptoms of an Asthma Attack
During an acute attack of asthma, your child may experience different symptoms, depending on the severity of the attack. Symptoms according to severity include:
- Mild: Your child may become short of breath only after physical activity but is able to speak in full sentences.
- Moderate: Your child may be short of breath while speaking. Infants may present with a softer and shorter cry than usual or difficulty feeding.
- Severe: Your child may be sitting upright, breathless, and communicating with single word rather than full sentences.
- Respiratory failure (also known as status asthmaticus): Your child may be drowsy and confused in addition to the previously described symptoms. This is a medical emergency.
What Can I Do If My Child Has Asthma?
If your child has asthma, both you and your child should be familiar with asthma medications and devices, such as spacers, nebulizers, and metered-dose inhalers. Your pediatrician should discuss the function of each medication with you and your child, as well as how to use asthma devices. It is important that parents and other caregivers recognize the signs of an acute asthma attack and the use of “rescue” medications. Asthma is a chronic condition, but with proper management, your child can have a normal childhood with no restrictions on sports and recreational activities except in the most severe of cases.
Prognosis for Childhood Asthma
The prognosis for those people with asthma in childhood depends on a number of factors. Generally, children who have very mild asthma are more likely to be symptom-free when they become adults. Those who improve typically do so in adolescence. It has been suggested that if a child develops asthma before age 3, his or her prognosis is poorer; however, children who have asthmatic symptoms only when they are sick with colds and other upper respiratory infections tend to improve.
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