Asthma

Body_ID: HC016030
Asthma and wheeze
Body_ID: HC016032
Asthma is the most common chronic respiratory disorder in childhood, affecting 15-20% of
children. Worldwide there appears to have been a significant increase in the incidence of
asthma over the last 30 years, although this has plateaued. The highest rates are in the
developed world. In most children, the symptoms of asthma are readily controlled, but it is an
important cause of school absenteeism, restricted activity and anxiety for the child and
family. There are still about 20 deaths from asthma in children each year in the UK.

The diagnosis of asthma in children should be suspected in any child with wheezing on more than
one occasion, ideally heard on auscultation by a health professional, and distinguished from
transmitted upper respiratory noises (BTS/SIGN Guideline on Asthma Management). Wheezing is a
whistling noise heard from the chest, and parents' perception of wheezing often varies from health
professionals. In practice, the diagnosis is usually made on a history of recurrent wheeze, with
exacerbations usually precipitated by viral respiratory infections.