Childhood Asthma

Is it nature or nurture? How big a part does family history play and what effect does the environment have?

Here are the facts:

• Studies have shown that 50 to 80 percent of children with asthma develop symptoms before their fifth birthday.
• Asthma in childhood is frequently underdiagnosed.
• Most common cause of asthma symptoms is viral respiratory infection in children five years of age and younger.
• The factors associated with continuing asthma in children are allergy, family history of allergy/asthma, and exposure to smoke and inhaled allergens around the time of birth.

The risk of asthma appears to increase among children who have one or more parent who smokes. Exposing children to tobacco smoke has been shown to increase respiratory symptoms, such as cough, sputum, and wheeze, and increase the risk for developing asthma and experiencing asthma attacks. Children between ages two and four who are living with a smoker are 280 percent more likely to wheeze than children from nonsmoking families.

As well, tobacco smoke has also been linked to increases in the number and severity of virtually all respiratory disorders, including allergic rhinitis, bronchitis, pneumonia, and ear & upper respiratory tract infection.

Since children are very susceptible to respiratory infections, their exposure to second-hand tobacco smoke is of even greater concern.

INFORMATION FOR PARENTS

CAREGIVER GUIDE

As a parent of a child with asthma, it is a good idea to inform teachers, coaches, babysitters, and/or caregivers about the needs of your child. Use the list below as a guide for information you should include when giving care instructions.

1. Your child’s name and date of birth.
2. Your name and the names of relatives or other persons who should be contacted in case of an emergency.
3. Your home telephone number and any other telephone number where you can be reached in an emergency.
4. The name and telephone number of your child’s physician(s).
5. The telephone number of the local ambulance and/or hospital.
6. For each medication, include
   · the name (brand name and generic name) & its the dose
   · how it is to be taken (e.g., inhaled, orally, etc.)
   · the time it is taken
   · if the medication can be taken with food or other medications
7. Your child’s allergies and what triggers to avoid.
8. If your child’s activity needs to be restricted in any way.
9. How to recognize signs of an asthma attack.
10. The specific steps outlined by your physician that should be taken in the event of an attack.

ASTHMA AND TRAVEL

ASTHMA NEVER TAKES A HOLIDAY

This means that it is just as important to manage asthma when you are away from home. It is very important for family members of children who have asthma to plan carefully before taking a vacation or spending any time away from home. The goal should be to lessen the chances of your child experiencing an asthma attack, which in turn will help ensure a more enjoyable, stress-free trip.

Children traveling without their parents should already understand their disease and know what medications to use regularly and which to use in case of an emergency. The child should know not to overuse his/her beta2 agonist inhaler when wheezing and that if he/she is still having breathing difficulty, to seek immediate help from an adult.

Before going on a trip without mom or dad, it is recommended that parents make sure that their child:
 

• knows his/her asthma triggers
• can recognize and respond to the warning signs of an attack
• has a list of his/her allergies that can be given to the trip's supervisor(s)
• has a letter that outlines the history and severity of his/her asthma, including recent hospital visits
• has written instructions on what kinds of medications and how much medication should be taken, at what times
• has prescriptions to refill medications has extra medication with them, if going to another country