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Asthma Risk Factorsdevelopment of asthma in infants and childrenGenderGeneticsAllergies and illnesses.Prenatal and pregnancy factors.Asthma Symptoms Children and Infants May Present
- Noisy breathing or wheezing when your child does not have a cold or other infection
- Decreased respiration rates
- Frequent coughing
- Frequent respiratory infections
- Shortness of breath
- Difficulty sleeping
- Sneezing
- Runny or stuffy nose
Diagnosing Asthma in Children
- Ask you about your child’s symptoms.
- Inquire about the family history of allergies and asthma.
- If either you or the other parent has asthma, the doctor may ask you about your own asthma triggers and symptoms.
- Conduct a physical exam that involves listening to your child’s lungs and looking for signs of asthma.
- If the child is old enough, perform a lung function test, or spirometry, which measures a child’s breaths.
- Order chest x-rays.
- Perform blood and/or skin tests for allergies.
After the Diagnosis: Tips for Parentsyour child’s asthma triggersGuest post courtesy of Lungtropolis®, an interactive web-based learning game created to help children ages 5-10 control their asthma. The site incorporates a resource for parents featuring comprehensive tips regarding asthma in children.