Clinical features of Asthma in Children

Question 1

Whats the one key thing to remember when diagnosing asthma?

Answer 1

NO WHEEZE NO ASTHMA!!!

Question 2

What is asthma?

Answer 2

• Literally “panting”
• Chronic
• Wheeze, cough and SOB
• Multiple triggers
• Variable/reversible
• Responds to asthma Rx

Question 3

From what we know, what causes asthma?

Answer 3

• Host response to environment
• Infection important
• Physiology abnormal before symptoms
• It is a syndrome

Question 4

Asthma diagnosis

Answer 4

• WHEEZE
• SOB AT REST
  
  • Significant resp difficulty
  • <30% lung function
  • Airway obstruction
  • “Sooking” in of ribs with wheeze
• COUGH
  
  • dry
  • nocturnal (just after falling asleep)
  • exertional
• OTHER STUFF
  
  • Parental Hx asthma
  • Personal history
  • Eczema
  • Hayfever
  • Food allergies

Question 5

Asthma treatment

Answer 5

ICS for 2 months

Question 6

Benefits of ICS

Answer 6

Helps diagnosis
If symptoms respond
- improves QoL
- Reduces risk of attacks

Question 7

Harms of ICS treatment

Answer 7

• Cost
• Hassle
• 0.5-1cm loss in height
• Oral thrush

Question 8

When is it not asthma?

Answer 8

• Under 18 months, most likely infection
• Over 5 years, most likely asthma
• BUT if it sounds like asthma and responds to asthma it is asthma regardless of age!