Overview of Pediatric Asthma

Asthma often begins during childhood or the teen years and may last throughout a child's life. The airway inflammation found in asthma causes a child's airways to narrow and produce mucus, resulting in asthma symptoms such as shortness of breath and cough.

The airways narrow when they overreact to certain substances. These are known as asthma triggers and may include those listed below.

Allergens, such as dust mites or animal dander may cause long-term (chronic) inflammation and may cause asthma symptoms. Environmental factors, such as smoke (especially secondhand smoke) or cold air, may lead to a tightening of the muscles that line the bronchial tubes (bronchospasm), which can trigger asthma symptoms. Other environmental factors include pollen from trees or grass, mold and mildew, and chemicals such as bleach or ammonia.

Asthma triggers vary from child to child. When asthma is triggered by an allergen (pollen, dust mites or mold), it is known as allergic asthma. When asthma symptoms occur suddenly, it is known as an asthma attack. Asthma attacks can occur rarely or frequently and be mild to severe. Severe attacks may require emergency treatment. In most cases, a child’s symptoms can be taken care of at home with an asthma action plan, a written plan that tells parents which medications the child needs to use and when emergency treatment should be applied. If your child does not have an asthma plan, please speak with your child’s medical provider.

Asthma that is not well-controlled can have a great impact on a child's life. Even mild asthma may result in changes to the airway system (airway remodeling) and speed up and worsen the natural decrease in lung function that occurs as we age. Loss of lung function in asthma appears to start early in childhood. Asthma also may increase the risk of a partial collapse of lung tissue (atelectasis) or a collapsed lung (pneumothorax).

Asthma is the leading cause of school absenteeism and often is the reason why children cannot achieve their educational goals. Poorly controlled asthma interferes with childrens’ daily activities and makes them sedentary and predisposes them to becoming obese or overweight.

Sometimes asthma does not respond to treatment because children are not taking their medications, not taking them correctly, not avoiding triggers, and otherwise not following their daily treatment plan or asthma action plan. It is very important that parents and caregivers make sure that children are following their treatment and action plans to prevent worsening asthma. If plans and recommendations are carefully followed, most children with asthma can live a healthy, full and productive life. Asthma should not interfere with a child’s life. Don’t let asthma control you; you can control your asthma!

Cecilia Vicuna-Keady, ARNP, FNP, DNP is a Family Nurse Practitioner with the Newport Health Center. She earned her Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) degree from U Mass in Amherst, MA. She is Board Certified as a Family Nurse Practitioner and is also a Certified Diabetes Educator. Her special areas of interest include asthma management, childhood obesity, diabetes control and wellness. In addition to caring for patients at the Newport Health Center, Dr.Vicuna-Keady staffs the Tiger Treatment Center, the student health clinic at Newport Middle High School. She welcomes new patients and may be contacted at 863-4100.

Click here to read about Cecilia Vicuna-Keady ARNP, FNP, DNP.

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