Pediatric Asthma: An Overview

Pediatric asthma is a chronic condition in children, with an incidence of 7% to 10%. An asthma attack causes constriction of smooth muscles, inflammation, and mucosal edema in the airways. Diagnosis is based on medical history, physical examination, chest X-ray, skin test, and breathing test. Symptoms include shortness of breath, chest congestion, coughing (especially at night or during exercise), and wheezing. General management involves following prescribed medication, avoiding triggers, using asthma control tools, and getting annual flu vaccines. Respiratory care involves using inhalers, monitoring the environment, and following medication guidelines. Medical treatment includes inhaled corticosteroids, leukotriene modifiers, combination inhalers, and short-acting better agonists, depending on the severity and type of asthma.

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Pediatric Asthma
1. Anatomic Alteration Of Lungs During Pediatric Cancer
Asthma attack results in a constriction of smooth muscles surrounding the small airwaves, and
smooth muscle layers expand in size and triple their normal thickness over time. Eosinophils,
alongside certain inflammatory cells, infiltrate airway mucosa resulting in airway inflammation
and mucosal edema (Lizzo & Cortes, 2020). The bronchial mucus glands expand after being

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infiltrated by the goblet cells, causing thick, whitish, tenacious mucus that fills the airways. Air
trapping and hyperinflation development occurs resulting from smooth muscle constriction,
bronchial mucosal edema, and excessive bronchial secretions (Moeller et al., 2015.
2. Etiology And Epidemiology Of Pediatric Asthma
Suspected causes of childhood asthma may include inheritance from parents with asthma,
allergies, a viral infection like a common cold, some airway infection, and exposure to other
factors such as air pollutants like tobacco smoke (Moeller et al., 2015). Pediatric asthma is a
frequently reported severe chronic condition in infants and children. The incidences of asthma
have increased significantly in the past decade, and it is today estimated that it is found in 7% to
10% of children (Dharmage et al., 2019).
3. Diagnostic Test For Pediatric Asthma
The initial step in diagnosing pediatric asthma is the evaluation of a child's history and
symptoms. The doctor may perform tests such as chest X-ray, skin test, breathing test
(spirometry), physical examination, and detailed medical history (Lizzo & Cortes, 2020).
4. Clinical Manifestation
Pediatric asthma is characterized by shortness of breath, chest congestion, regular coughing,
especially at night or during exercise, and wheezing (Lizzo & Cortes, 2020).
5. General Management
Most symptoms associated with pediatric asthma can be controlled. The general management
strategy is to stick to medication as prescribed, identify and avoid triggers, use asthma control

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tools when necessary, and ensure that they get an annual flu vaccine. Maintaining average
activity level and pulmonary function and avoiding some allergic products (Sharma & Gupta,
2019).
6. Respiratory Care
Respiratory care for pediatric asthma involves strategies to keep symptoms under control. The
care may include using inhalers, monitoring the environment for risk factors to avoid triggers,
and using the medications as prescribed (Mayo Clinic, 2019).
7. Medical Treatment
The treatment for pediatric asthma depends on several things such as the severity of symptoms,
the age of the child, and whether treatment targets long term control, quick relief, or allergic-
induced asthma (Lizzo & Cortes, 2020). Some medications used include inhaled corticosteroids,
leukotriene modifiers, combination inhalers, theophylline, short-acting better agonists (Sharma &
Gupta, 2019).
8. Complications
It is one of the leading causes of children's chronic conditions since it may cause a permanent
decline in lung functions (Mayo Clinic, 2019). It can cause severe respiratory complications,
including pneumonia, the collapse of lungs, and respiratory failure. Asthmatic children may
experience poor sleep and fatigue or may miss school.

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Reference
Dharmage, S. C., Perret, J. L., & Custovic, A. (2019). Epidemiology of Asthma in Children and
Adults. Frontiers in pediatrics, 7, 246. https://doi.org/10.3389/fped.2019.00246
Lizzo J.M., & Cortes S. (2020 Jan).Pediatric Asthma. [Updated 2020 Aug 10]. In: StatPearls
[Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; Available from:
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK551631/

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Mayo Clinic. (2019, March 20). Childhood asthma - Symptoms and
causes. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/childhood-asthma/symptoms-
causes/syc-20351507
Moeller, A., Carlsen, K., Sly, P. D., Baraldi, E., Piacentini, G., Pavord, I., Lex, C., & Saglani, S.
(2015). Monitoring asthma in childhood: Lung function, bronchial responsiveness and
inflammation. European Respiratory Review, 24(136), 204-
215. https://doi.org/10.1183/16000617.00003914
Sharma, G. D., & Gupta,, P. (2019, January 24). Pediatric asthma treatment & management:
Approach considerations, components of asthma care, treatment of status Asthmaticus.
Diseases & Conditions - Medscape
Reference. https://emedicine.medscape.com/article/1000997-treatment#:~:text=In
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