Paper Example on Asthma in Children: Prevalence & Treatment

Introduction

Asthma in children has been evidenced as the most frequent chronic lung disease. It is characterized by chronic airways inflammation which results in airflow obstruction. Therapy can be used to completely or partially everted. Asthma exacerbations are usually in parts, but there is the presence of airway inflammation. It is approximated that the prevalence of Asthma is 11% in the United States, 15 to 18% in the UK, and 11% in France (Formosa, 2008). It is established that five years is the onset peak age while the prevalence ratio is 3:2 for boys to girls (Formosa, 2008). This paper examines different aspects of asthma in children such as etiology, mode of transmission, sign and symptoms, diagnosis, treatment, complications, and prevention.

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Etiology

The interaction between genetic and environmental factors usually cause asthma in children. It has been established that any single gene does not cause asthma. Asthma is linked with a genetic predisposition to atopy. Allergy which is the major causes of allergy has a strong hereditary trait (Formosa, 2008). Studies have established a potential link between asthma and airway inflammation. It is also caused by environmental factors such as exposure to allergens. Another factor are smoking which increases the risk and poorer lung function.

Mode of Transmission

There is the transmission of asthma susceptibility from maternal factors. A fundamental factor in the development of asthma is genetic proneness and vulnerability to allergens. However, reports have indicated that mothers are crucial in linking the issue of fetal-infant immune reaction to allergens (Barrett, 2008). It, therefore, means that the maternal immune environment plays an important role in developing the immune response to inhaled allergens which affects transmission.

Sign and Symptoms

There are some major signs or symptoms of childhood asthma. Some of these include frequent episodes of wheezing, activity-induced wheeze or cough, and night cough especially in the absence of viral infections (Barrett, 2008). Another sign is lack of seasonal variation in a wheeze. These symptoms are persistence after three years of age and occur or worsen when trigger factors are present.

Diagnosis

The initial instance for children asthma diagnosis is the tendency of recurrent episodes of wheezing. The rate of the occurrence of episodes is usually three to more. The determination of correct diagnosis is mostly based on patterns of symptoms. These entail periodic episodes of wheeze, cough, chest tightness and breathing difficulties (Papadopoulos et al., 2012). These are usually as a result of exposure to stimuli such as allergens, irritants and respiratory infections among others. The diagnosis is supported by a history of atopy and a family history of asthma. Differential diagnosis is suggested since asthma symptoms are not pathognomonic and may happen due to several different conditions.

Treatment

It has been established that asthma can be treated in the community and the patient gains good control of the disease. A holistic approach is recommended and its include patients, family, doctor involvement and education (Formosa, 2008). The management of asthma requires the involvement of children and the family. At the start of diagnosis, education is important and in all steps of clinical care. To promote the effectiveness of the treatment approach, it is important to be knowledgeable about the avoidance of risk factors and correct medication intake. Other treatment approaches include bronchodilator therapy, anticholinergics and administration of supplemental oxygen. The goals of treatments are reversing bronchoconstriction, hypoxemia correction, treat the inflammation of airways, and monitor potential complications.

Complications

In rare cases, asthma in children can lead to serious respiratory complications. Such include infections of lungs resulting in pneumonia and partial or total collapse of the lungs. There is also the possibility of respiratory failure in which oxygen levels become very low, and carbon dioxide levels alarmingly increase. Lastly, there is the possibility of status asthmaticus in which there is the development of severe attacks that are unresponsive to medication ("Complications of asthma," 2018).

Prevention

The heterogeneity of asthma in children is determined by the interaction between genetic susceptibility and environmental factors. The pharmacologic treatments usually emphasize on host factors. To ensure effective prevention, it is important to use interventions that address environmental factors. It is important to prevent exposure of the children to smoking and other air pollutants. Children should also be safeguarded from environmental allergens. It is also crucial to address the problem of food and medication allergies. It has been established that 8% of infants are affected by food allergy coming from eggs, cow milk and wheat among others (Omar & Zainudin, 2014).

Conclusion

The prevalence of childhood asthma continues to be a problem in both the developing and developed nations. It is still a daunting process to identify a child who is at risk of severe asthma attacks. The prevention of serious complications is necessary can be achieved by early recognition and admission to therapy and treatment. The treatment of asthma in children requires a more holistic approach in which the child and the family collaborate with the doctor and the presence of appropriate information. It means that all parties need to be proactive to successfully the issue of childhood asthma.

References

Barrett, E. (2008). Maternal influence in the transmission of asthma susceptibility. Pulmonary Pharmacology & Therapeutics, 21(3), 474-484. doi: 10.1016/j.pupt.2007.06.005

Complications of asthma. (2018). Retrieved from https://www.healthdirect.gov.au/complications-of-asthma

Formosa, M. (2008). Asthma in childhood. Malta Medical Journal, 20(1), 35-43.

Omar, A., & Zainudin, N. (2014). Clinical Practice Guidelines for the Management of Childhood Asthma. Retrieved from https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=14&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=2ahUKEwjU9-CK4YriAhUJuRoKHdkjDKc4ChAWMAN6BAgCEAI&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.acadmed.org.my%2Fview_file.cfm%3Ffileid%3D646&usg=AOvVaw1plrXROsKZxlWYgEPrpHMT

Papadopoulos, et al. (2012). International consensus on (ICON) pediatric asthma. Retrieved from https://www.aaaai.org/Aaaai/media/MediaLibrary/PDF%20Documents/About/International-consensus-on-Pediatric-Asthma.pdf