What Is Childhood Asthma?
Childhood asthma is the same lung disease adults get, but kids often have different symptoms. Doctors also call this pediatric asthma.
If your child has asthma, their lungs and airways can easily get inflamed when they have a cold or are around things like pollen. The symptoms may make it hard for your child to do everyday activities or sleep. Sometimes, an asthma attack can result in a trip to the hospital.
There’s no cure for asthma in children, but you can work with your child’s doctor to treat it and prevent damage to their growing lungs.
Signs and Symptoms of Childhood Asthma
Not all children have the same asthma symptoms. A child may even have different symptoms from one episode to the next. Signs and symptoms of asthma in children include:
A cough that doesn’t go away (which may be the only symptom)
Coughing spells that happen often, especially during play or exercise, at night, in cold air, or while laughing or crying
A cough that gets worse after a viral infection
Less energy during play, and stopping to catch their breath during activities
Avoiding sports or social activities
Trouble sleeping because of coughing or breathing problems
Rapid breathing
Chest tightness or pain
Wheezing, a whistling sound when breathing in or out
Seesaw motions in their chest (retractions)
Shortness of breath
Tight neck and chest muscles
Feeling weak or tired
Trouble eating, or grunting while eating (in infants)
Your child''s doctor should check out any illness that makes it hard for them to breathe.
Experts sometimes use the terms “reactive airways disease” and “bronchiolitis” when talking about wheezing with shortness of breath or coughing in infants and toddlers. Tests may not be able to confirm asthma in children younger than 5.
When to get emergency care
A severe asthma attack needs medical care right away. Watch for these signs
Stopping in the middle of a sentence to catch a breath
Using stomach muscles to breathe
A belly that sinks in under their ribs when they try to get air
Chest and sides that pull in as they breathe
Severe wheezing
Severe coughing
Trouble walking or talking
Blue lips or fingernails
Increasing shortness of breath with decreased wheezing
Widened nostrils
Fast heartbeat
Sweating more than usual
Chest pain
Causes and Triggers of Childhood Asthma
Common triggers include
Airway infections. This includes colds, pneumonia, and sinus infections.
Allergens. Your child might be allergic to things like cockroaches, dust mites, mold, pet dander, and pollen.
Irritants. Things like air pollution, chemicals, cold air, odors, or smoke can bother their airways.
Exercise. It can lead to wheezing, coughing, and a tight chest.
Stress. It can make your child short of breath and worsen their symptoms.
Childhood Asthma Risk Factors
Asthma is the leading cause of long-term illness in children. It affects about 7 million kids in the United States. Those numbers have been going up, and experts aren’t sure why.
Most children have their first symptoms by age 5. But asthma can begin at any age.
Causes and Triggers of Childhood Asthma
Common triggers include
Airway infections. This includes colds, pneumonia, and sinus infections.
Allergens. Your child might be allergic to things like cockroaches, dust mites, mold, pet dander, and pollen.
Irritants. Things like air pollution, chemicals, cold air, odors, or smoke can bother their airways.
Exercise. It can lead to wheezing, coughing, and a tight chest.
Stress. It can make your child short of breath and worsen their symptoms.
Childhood Asthma Risk Factors
Asthma is the leading cause of long-term illness in children. It affects about 7 million kids in the United States. Those numbers have been going up, and experts aren’t sure why.
Most children have their first symptoms by age 5. But asthma can begin at any age.
Childhood Asthma Treatment
Based on your child''s history and how severe their asthma is, their doctor will develop a care plan, called an asthma action plan. This describes when and how your child should use asthma medications, what to do when asthma gets worse, and when to seek emergency care. Make sure you understand this plan, and ask your child''s doctor any questions you may have.
Your child''s asthma action plan is important for controlling their asthma. Keep it handy to remind you of your child''s daily management plan, as well as to guide you when your child has asthma symptoms. Give copies to your child’s caregivers, teachers, and even the bus driver so they’ll know what to do if the child has an asthma attack away from home.
In addition to following your child''s asthma action plan, you want to make sure exposure to asthma triggers is limited, and preferably avoided.
What asthma drugs can children take?
Most asthma medications that are given to adults and older children can also safely be prescribed to toddlers and younger children. Drugs that are approved for younger children are given in doses adjusted for their age and weight. In the case of inhaled drugs, a different delivery device based on the child''s age and ability may be required. (Many children can’t coordinate their breathing well enough to use a standard inhaler.)
