Managing asthma in children
Overview
The management of asthma and wheezing disorders in children is based on:
- confirming the diagnosis
- assessing the pattern of symptoms (including frequency of episodes and pattern of symptoms between episodes)
- assessing triggers
- discussing the goals of management with the child’s parents and the child (depending on age)
- choosing initial treatment based on the child’s age and pattern of symptoms
- reviewing and adjusting treatment periodically based on recent asthma symptom control and risk factors (see Figure: Stepped approach to adjusting asthma medication in children)
- managing comorbid conditions that affect asthma (e.g. allergic rhinitis)
- providing parents and children with information and skills to manage their asthma, including:
- a written asthma action plan
- information about avoiding triggers, where appropriate
- training in correct use of medicines, including inhaler technique
- information and support to maximise adherence
- managing flare-ups when they occur
- providing advice about avoidance of tobacco smoke, healthy eating, physical activity, healthy weight and immunisation.
In children, initial treatment after making the diagnosis of asthma is guided by the pattern and severity of asthma symptoms. The aims of asthma management are to ensure that the child’s asthma has been correctly diagnosed, and to enable the child to maintain a normal quality of life without interference from asthma or the side effects of asthma treatment.
For children already taking regular preventer treatment, adjustments to the treatment regimen are based on finding the lowest dose of medicines that will maintain good control of symptoms and prevent flare-ups.
In this section
0-5 years
Managing wheezing and asthma in children aged 0–5 years
https://www.asthmahandbook.org.au/management/children/0-5-years
6 years and over
Managing asthma in children aged 6 years and over
https://www.asthmahandbook.org.au/management/children/6-years-and-over
Administering medicines
Administering inhaled medicines correctly in children
https://www.asthmahandbook.org.au/management/children/administering-medicines
Review
Planning routine asthma review
https://www.asthmahandbook.org.au/management/children/review
Triggers
Managing triggers
https://www.asthmahandbook.org.au/management/children/triggers
Education
Providing asthma management education for parents and children
https://www.asthmahandbook.org.au/management/children/education