30. Asthma Management in Children Flashcards
Is there a cure for asthma?
No cure, only palliation or spontaneous resolution
What are the main goals of asthma treatment? (5)
- minimal symptoms during day and night
- minimal need for reliever medication
- no exacerbations/ worsening
- no limitation of physical activity
- normal lung function (FEV1>80% predicted or best)
How to measure control of child’s asthma? In terms of what to look at (SANE)
Short acting beta agonist/week Absence of school/nursery Nocturnal symptoms/week Excertional symptoms/ week (SANE)
What are classes of medications used to treat child asthma? (6)
- short acting beta agonists
- inhaled corticosteroids
- long acting beta agonists (add ons)
- leukotriene receptor antagonist (add ons)
- theophyllines (add ons)
- oral steroids
Do inhaled corticosteroid doses overlap with adult doses?
Yes; very low, low, medium and high
What should the ICS dose be at the start of asthma treatment? How long after the treatment start should the review be done?
low dose; and review after 2 months
What is the criteria for medication administration for child asthma?
- Max dose ICS 800microgram
- NO oral B2 tablet
- LTRA first line preventer in <5s (leukotriene receptor antagonist)
What is the Step 1 in treating asthma in children?
- SABA (short acting beta agonist)
- inhaled (not oral)
- spacer/ MDI (meter dosed inhaler) or dry powder inhaler
What is the step 2 in treating child asthma?
-REGULAR PREVENTER ( very low dose of inhaled corticosteroids or LTRA in <5s)
; leukotriene receptor antagonist
When should a regular preventer be used? (step 2) (3)
- if using an inhaled B2 agonist 3x a week or more
- if symptomatic 3x a week or more or waking one night a week
- if exacerbations of asthma in the last 2 years
What is the step 3 in treating child asthma?
Add on a preventer (where it becomes more complicated)
What are preventers used to for step 3 of treating child asthma? (3)
- add on LABA
- add on LTRA
- increase ICS dose
What is the stance for high dose therapies in under 5 year olds?
Refer for confirmation of diagnosis
What is the stance for high dose therapies in over 5 year olds?
Increase to medium dose ICS and consider referral
What is always needed before putting a child patient on continuous or regular oral steroids?
always refer!
What are main advantages of using inhaled corticosteroids?
- very useful for diagnosis
- very effective
- very safe (when prescribed correctly)
What is the safe dose range for inhaled corticosteroids?
200-800
What are some adverse effects of ICS; inhaled corticosteroids? (3)
- height suppression
- oral candidiasis (thrush)
- adrenocortical suppression