Abstract
The diagnosis and management of childhood asthma is an essential skill for GPs. Asthmatic children and their families bring with them their own unique set of diagnostic and managerial problems when compared with adults. This article seeks to provide clear guidance on the diagnosis of asthma in children and a summary of management options including when to escalate therapy, use of different drug delivery devices and indications for referral.
Get full access to this article
View all access options for this article.
References
1.
ADMIT
. Accessed via www.admit-online.info/en/inhalation-systems/features-of-available-devices/ [date last accessed 25.11.2010].
2.
Asthma
UK
. Accessed via www.asthma.org.uk [date last accessed 13.09.2010].
3.
Bhogal
S.K.
Zemek
R.L.
Ducharme
F.
Written action plans for asthma in children . Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews (2006 ) Issue 3. Art. No.: CD005306. DOI: 10.1002/14651858.CD005306.pub2. Accessed via info.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/userfiles/ccoch/file/CD005306.pdf [date last accessed 04.12.2010].
4.
BMA/NHS Employers
. Quality and Outcomes Guidance for GMS Contract 2009/10 (2009 ) Accessed via www.nhsemployers.org/Aboutus/Publications/Documents/QOF_Guidance_2009_final.pdf [date last acccessed 7. 2. 2011].
5.British National Formulary . Accessed via www.bnf.org [date last accessed 13.09.2010].
6.
BTS/SIGN
. British guideline on the management of asthma (2009 ) Accessed via www.brit-thoracic.org.uk/Portals/0/Clinical%20Information/Asthma/Guidelines/sign101%20revised%20June%2009.pdf [date last accessed 28.11.2010].
7.
Chang
A.B.
Newman
R.G.
Carlin
J.B.
Phelan
P.D.
Robertson
C.F.
Subjective scoring of cough in children: parent-completed vs child-completed diary cards vs an objective method . European Respiratory Journal (1998 ) 11 : p. 462 –6 . Accessed via erj.ersjournals.com/content/11/2/462.full.pdf [date last accessed 08.12.2010].
8.
General Practice Airways Group (GPAIG)
. Equivalent doses of inhaled corticosteroids reference table . Accessed via www.pcrs-uk.org/resources/inhaled_steroid_equiv_doses.pdf [date last accessed 08.12.2010].
9.
Gibson
P.G.
Powell
H.
Written action plans for asthma: an evidence-based review of the key components . Thorax (2004 ) 59 : p. 94 –9 .
10.
Gibson
P.G.
Powell
H.
Wilson
A.
Self management education and regular practitioner review for adults with asthma . Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews (2002 ) Issue 3. Art. No.: CD001117. DOI: 10.1002/14651858.CD001117. Accessed via info.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/userfiles/ccoch/file/CD001117.pdf [date last accessed 03.12.2010].
11.
Gøtzsche
P.C.
Johansen
H.K.
House dust mite control measures for asthma . Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews (2008 ) Issue 2. Art. No.: CD001187. DOI: 10.1002/14651858.CD001187.pub3. Accessed via onlinelibrary.wiley.com/o/cochrane/clsysrev/articles/CD001187/pdf_fs.html [date last accessed 13.09.2010].
12.
Jongste
J.
Shields
M.
Cough 2: chronic cough in children . Thorax (2003 ) 58 : p. 998 –1003 .
13.
Lung and Asthma Information Agency
. Current asthma statistics (2006 ) Accessed via www.laia.ac.uk/kf_asthma_03.htm#1 [date last accessed 02.07.2010].
14.
NICE
. Asthma (children under 5) - inhaler devices: guidance (2000 ) Accessed via guidance.nice.org.uk/index.jsp?action=article&o=32074 [date last accessed 14.07.2010].
15.
NICE
. Inhaler devices for routine treatment of chronic asthma in older children (5–15 years) (2002 ) Accessed via guidance.nice.org.uk/TA38 [date last accessed 14.07.2010].
16.
Patient UK. Accessed via www.patient.co.uk.
17.
Powell
H.
Gibson
P.G.
, Options for self-management education for adults with asthma . Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews (2003 ) Issue 1. Art. No.: CD004107. DOI: 10.1002/14651858.CD004107.
18.
Primary Care Respiratory Society UK
. Quality asthma review (2009 ) Accessed via www.pcrs-uk.org/conferences/2009_webcasts/d2/RuthMcArthur/rm.html [date last accessed 17.07.2010].
19.RCGP Curriculum statement 8: Care of children and young people . Accessed via www.rcgp-curriculum.org.uk/PDF/curr_8_Care_of_Children_and_Young_People.pdf [date last accessed 08.09.2010].
20.RCGP Curriculum statement 15.8: Respiratory problems . Accessed via www.rcgp-curriculum.org.uk/PDF/curr_15_8_Respiratory_problems.pdf [date last accessed 08.09.2010].
21.
Shields
M.D.
Bush
A.
Everard
M.L.
Primhak
R. McKenzie
British Thoracic Society: recommendations for the assessment and management of cough in children . Thorax (2008 ) 63 : p. 1 –15 . Accessed via www.rcpch.ac.uk/doc.aspx?id_Resource=4674 [date last accessed 08.12.2010].
