Childhood asthma, also called bronchial asthma or asthmatic bronchitis in childhood, is an allergic condition responsible for causing bronchospasm in the first years of life.

In other words, it causes the child to have a decrease in the caliber of the bronchi, making it difficult for the air that enters the lung to escape and leading to a feeling of shortness of breath. In addition, this condition can also cause a drop in blood oxygenation and lead to the appearance of short wheezing sounds in the lung region.

Causes

The causes behind childhood asthma are multiple. A good part comes from allergic factors, which include reactions to foods such as peanuts, fish, cow's milk, seafood, and egg, as well as dust and dust mite allergens. But the disease can also be triggered by viruses and even bacteria. In other words, bacterial bronchiolitis, when left untreated, can lead to common bronchospasmof asthma.

In addition, there are also cases of childhood asthma that can be a consequence of physical activity during childhood. In these cases, the child suffers an allergic bronchospasm after continuous exertion. Finally, there are situations in which the disease is induced by reflux.

Symptoms of Childhood Asthma

Among the main symptoms resulting from childhood asthma, shortness of breath and difficulty breathing are among the most commonly reported during attacks. In addition, the child may experience altered chest movements and retraction of the rib and furcula (hole located near the neck).

Another indication of this condition is wheezing in the chest, which may or may not be audible.

Treatment for childhood asthma

There is an early treatment for the control of childhood asthma. When followed correctly, it can often be that the child cures itself by the age of seven or eight.

This treatment is done with the help of the famous firecrackers and with asthma-specific medications.

The pump desinflates the lung by means of microdoses, which are much smaller than oral medications. Pediatricians say that there is no need to be afraid to use it, because it is an effective control treatment, since it can contain small doses of corticoids and bronchodilators that help in asthmatic crises.

There are also oral medications such as cromoglycates and montelukast, which control bronchospasm. Asthma not properly controlled can last into adulthood, with the patient needing oxygen because of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) and severe asthma.

General Tips

And besides the treatment itself, it is essential to work on the prevention of asthmatic crises, through actions in everyday life:

• Keep the child's room clean and ventilated, free of humidity
• Do not have furry blankets and stuffed animals in the environment
• Avoid mold or mildew stains in the rooms of your house
• Always keep your clothes washed and clean
• Do allergy tests to detect possible foods that may cause allergic crises in your child

Source Dr. Nelson Douglas Ejzenbaum, MD, pediatrician and neonatologist, member of the American Academy of Pediatrics.