clinical features of asthma in children

Question 1

What are some characteristics of asthma

Answer 1

Chronic

Wheeze, cough and SOB

multiple triggers

It is reversible

Variable through the day

Responds to asthma treatment

Question 2

Define asthma

Answer 2

It is a disease characterised by attacks of breathlessness and wheezing - due to inflammation of the air passageway

Question 3

What are the key words when diagnosing asthma

Answer 3

Wheeze

Variability

Respond to treatment

Question 4

What can increase your risk of having asthma

Answer 4

Having other atopic conditions such as eczema

Question 5

How is asthma diagnosed with spirometry

Answer 5

Check their exhalation initially and then give a bronchodilator and wait for 15 minutes. id the exhalation was better after, therefore there was a response to treatment

Exhaled nitric oxide above 35 ppm

And if there is variability in the peak flow readings

Question 6

What are the other conditions in children apart from asthma which it could be

Answer 6

<18months - infection
>5years - asthma

If it sounds like asthma and responds to asthma treatment, it is asthma regardless of the age