Asthma diagnosis in infants and preschool children: a systematic review of clinical guidelines

Abstract

There is generalized although not unanimous agreement that asthma can be diagnosed in preschool children.

Sex Differences in Exercise Induced Bronchoconstriction in Athletes: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

“…Asthma is generally characterized by airway smooth muscle constriction (bronchospasm), excessive inflammation of the airway, and increased mucus production, although it presents in a variety of phenotypes and endotypes, ranging to mild and intermittent to severe and uncontrolled [3]. The diagnosis of asthma is determined by the history of respiratory symptoms such as wheeze, shortness of breath, chest tightness, and cough that vary over time and in intensity, together with variable expiratory airflow limitation [4,5].…”

Sex Differences in Exercise-Induced Bronchoconstriction in Athletes: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

“…Asthma is generally characterized by airway smooth muscle constriction (bronchospasm), excessive inflammation of the airway, and increased mucus production, although it presents in a variety of phenotypes and endotypes, ranging from mild and intermittent to severe and uncontrolled [ 3 ]. The diagnosis of asthma is determined by the history of respiratory symptoms, such as wheezing, shortness of breath, chest tightness, and cough, that vary over time and in intensity, together with variable expiratory airflow limitations [ 4 , 5 ].…”

Is the predictive model for asthma development useful as a tool for diagnosing pediatric asthma?

“…3) However, the diagnosis of asthma in preschool children has not yet been standardized, and it is seemingly difficult to perform some current tests when diagnosing asthma. 4) Most clinicians practically diagnose asthma at preschool age based on subjective clinical symptoms.…”

“…Accordingly, such a consensus is usually embodied in the clinical practice guidelines, most of which (including the Global Initiative for Asthma) are determined by a group of ex perts selected on a structured basis. 4) The guidelines are usually linked to the diagnosis of asthma in preschool children based on the presence of compatible symptoms (several episodes of bronchial obstruction, preferably witnessed by a doctor), appro priate response to treatment and exclusion of other alternative diagnoses. 4) Several predictive models have been developed to predict whether preschool children will have asthma at school age, such as the stringent and loose forms of the Asthma Predictive Index (API).…”

“…4) The guidelines are usually linked to the diagnosis of asthma in preschool children based on the presence of compatible symptoms (several episodes of bronchial obstruction, preferably witnessed by a doctor), appro priate response to treatment and exclusion of other alternative diagnoses. 4) Several predictive models have been developed to predict whether preschool children will have asthma at school age, such as the stringent and loose forms of the Asthma Predictive Index (API). 6,7) The API was developed 20 years ago using data from the Tucson Children's Respiratory Study birth cohort and is currently applied partially in Korea and is used to predict asthma.…”