<p>Preschool children with persistent asthmatic symptoms</p>

Abstract

Asthma is the most common chronic airway disease in children, with more than half the reported cases of persistent asthma starting in children below the age of 3 years. Asthma diagnosis in preschool children has proven to be challenging due to the heterogeneity of the disease, the continuing development of the immune system in such a young population, and lack of diagnostic options such as lung function measurement. Early diagnosis and treatment of asthmatic symptoms will improve patients’ quality of life and help reduce disease morbidity. However, validated treatment options are scarce due to paucity of data and lack of conclusive studies in such a young patient population. Adjusting study design and endpoints to capture more reliable data with minimal risk of harm to patients is necessary. This thematic series review outlines the current position on preschool asthma, consolidates the current understanding of risk factors and diagnostic hurdles, and emphasizes the importance of early detection and management to help improve patients’ quality of life, both present and future. Particular focus was given to anticholinergics and their emerging role in the treatment and control of asthma in pediatric patients.

Association of indoor microbial aerosols with respiratory symptoms among under-five children: a systematic review and meta-analysis

“…The definitions of respiratory outcomes among children < 6 years of age are often poorly described and confusing, thereby making the diagnosis of the disease in preschool children difficult [ 60 ]. As a result, the European Respiratory Society task force proposed the use of terms such as “episodic (viral) wheeze” (among children with recurrent wheeze and who are well between episodes) and “multiple-trigger wheeze” (among children who wheeze both during and after discrete episodes) [ 61 ].…”

Assessment of Immunoglobulin E in Asthmatic Pediatric Patients

“…According to an epidemiological survey, the current number of asthmatic patients in the world is approximately 0.334 billion. In 2010, the prevalence rate of asthma among Chinese children was about 0.42-5.73%, the mean of which was 2.32% (8) . It is of great significance to foresee the risk of asthma incidence, but there was no sufficient evidence for the identification of asthma susceptibility gene yet both at home and abroad (9) .…”

Comparing LAMA with LABA and LTRA as add-on therapies in primary care asthma management

“…Much of the available evidence for asthma management is based on research carried out in adults, which leads to a greater restriction of licensing of medication in children 48 , creating additional difficulties in selecting the most appropriate treatment option for paediatric patients with asthma 49 . Despite advances in care, asthma still presents a burden within this population, with many children remaining symptomatic and uncontrolled 50 .…”