What Is Asthma In Children? Does My Kid Have Asthma?
Although childhood asthma is the same as adult asthma, children are more prone to have slightly different symptoms.
The majority of children who suffer from asthma develop it as young as infants or before the age of five. If they do not receive appropriate treatment and control their asthma symptoms well, they may experience frequent asthma attacks, which require fast treatment in the emergency department regularly, be admitted to hospital wards for extended periods, and experience more serious symptoms that may endanger their lives.
The exact cause of childhood asthma is unclear, however genetic and environmental factors are known to have a significant effect on it.
Childhood asthma causes and risk factors
The following are some of the most common causes of childhood asthma:
1. Asthma is caused by allergic responses. Allergens are particles that may trigger the immune system in the respiratory tract. Allergens that often cause childhood asthma include
Pests or dust in the house.
Bacteria and germs
Fur from a pet
Grass, tree, and flowering plant pollen.
Faeces and urine from animals, such as cockroaches and rats
2. Non-allergic responses to allergens, such as:
Breathing the cold air.
Treatment-related side effects
Substances in food products.
Infections involving viruses
Pollution of the air.
3. Asthma which caused by physical activities such as exercising.
The causes and frequency of an asthma attack are different from child to child, depending on their health status.
Risk factors for childhood asthma
Exposure to cigarette smoke while still in pregnancy.
Have had a history of allergic response, such as a skin rash, food allergy, or seasonal fever (allergic rhinitis).
Presence of family history of asthma or allergies reactions.
Obesity.
Problems with the respiratory system, such as a runny or stuffy nose (rhinitis), swollen sinuses (sinusitis), or pneumonia.
Heartburn (gastroesophageal reflux disease, or GERD).
Gender Factors (men are more likely to have asthma).
Dark-skinned.
Childhood Asthma Symptoms
Asthma symptoms vary from child to child. Some children have mild asthma attacks and only develop symptoms after engaging in physical activities such as exercise or being exposed to infections. Others, on the other hand, may endure asthma symptoms on a regular and continuous basis, limiting their levels of fitness.
Each kind of asthma has a unique treatment strategy. It is crucial to remember that even if children have relatively moderate asthma symptoms, they may still experience significant and life-threatening asthma episodes.
If your children exhibit one or more of the following asthma symptoms, it is recommended to bring them to a doctor to be sure.
1. Coughing
Cough that won't go completely or keep coming back.
Cough during the night or in the early morning.
Cough after working out or engaging in any strenuous activity.
When they are enthusiastic or laughing, they cough.
2. Wheezing
When your children are breathing, you can hear a high-pitched whistle (wheeze). If you think that your child has asthma, you should observe and listen to their breathing.
3. Chest pain
Children will probably complain of “stomach aches” because its location is close to their chest. These symptoms can be observed by their action of holding and massaging parts of their abdomen or chest.
4. Breathing difficulties
Check your child's respiratory rate and listen for any noises made throughout the breathing process.
Observe to see whether they make a lot of body movements during breathing, such as moving their shoulders or chest up and down.
Keep an eye on your kid if he or she has ever had shortness of breath while playing or shortness of breath that lasts for a pretty long time.
Keep an eye on your kid if he or she avoids strenuous activity often in order to prevent the symptoms of breathing difficulties.
Level of asthma control (symptoms in 1 month) | |||||
Controlled | Partially controlled | Uncontrolled (3-4 characteristics) | |||
Children until 11 years old | Children <5 years old | Children 6-11 years old | Children <5 years old | Children 6-11 years old | |
Symptoms during the day | None | > few minutes > 1 time in a week | > 2 times in a week | > few minutes > 1 in a week | > 2 times in a week |
Limited Activities | None | Present | Present | Present | Present |
Symptoms at night | None | Present | Present | Present | Present |
Need treatment to relieve symptoms | None | > 1 time in a week | > 2 times in a week | > 1 time in a week | > 2 times in a week |
Assessment of childhood asthma severity | ||||
Parameter | Light | Moderate | Severe | Life-threatening |
Breathing difficulties | While walking | While talking - Babies: feeding difficulties | Rest - Babies: stop feeding | |
Speaking | Full sentences | Phrase | Words | Can’t speak |
Level of alertness | Maybe nervous | Nervous | Nervous | Sleepy / Confused / Coma |
Respiratory rate | Normal or slightly increased | Increased | Highly increased | Poor respiratory effort |
Using accessory muscle to breath | None | Present | Present | Stomach and chest moving up and down |
Wheeze | Present | Present | Present | Silent |
SPO2 | >95% | 92-95% | <92% | - Cyanosis - <92% |
Pulse rate | Normal | High | High | Bradycardia |
Lung Function Test PEFR | >80% | 60-80% | <60% | Test cannot be done |
How to Prevent and Treat Childhood Asthma
If your kid has asthma symptoms, consult with your doctor to create a treatment plan according to the severity of their symptoms. This approach will help you in treating the symptoms of childhood asthma while also eliminating asthma attacks. Amongst some of the strategies covered in this plan are:
1. Reduce your child's exposure to the trigger. Protect your children from allergens and triggers that might aggravate asthma symptoms.
When you are around your children, you are forbidden to smoke. Tobacco smoke exposure in newborns is a key risk factor and cause of childhood asthma.
Encourage your children to participate in physical activities to keep them active. Regular physical activity may help their lungs work better and reduce their asthma symptoms.
Consult a doctor according to your children's requirements. Don't dismiss the early warning symptoms that a child's asthma is becoming more severe. Among some of the warning signals to look out for include the increased usage of 'inhaler' medicine which increases over time. A doctor's consultation might help improve the treatment required to keep their asthma symptoms under control.
Encourage your children in maintaining a healthy weight. Being overweight may aggravate asthma symptoms and put your kid at risk for serious health issues.
Pay a bit more attention if they have heartburn. If a child has acid reflux (gastroesophageal reflux disease, or GERD) or severe heartburn, their asthma symptoms may escalate.
2. Usage of reliever, or short-term relief medication
When an asthma attack strikes, this medicine will help relieve symptoms. This medication is often referred to as a reliever. Reliever inhalers are often blue in colour and should be carried with you at all times since asthma might attack at any point in time.
3. Long-term control medications work by decreasing airway constricting inflammation.
These drugs will not be offered to all children with asthma and can only be provided with a medical doctor's prescription. The intensity and frequency of your children's asthma symptoms will indicate whether or not they need it.
References:
Written By Aisyah Dahiyah Abd Wahab, General Medicine, Kursk State Medical University, Russia on
Reviewed By DoctorOnCall Panel Doctor
