Child Asthma

Children with persistent asthma, specific asthma characteristics could help determine the type of treatment
Researchers have identified specific asthma characteristics in children that could help determine the type of asthma treatment they will best respond to.

“There is increasing evidence that children respond differently to the various treatment options for asthma,” noted James Kiley, director of the NHLBI Division of Lung Diseases. “If we can pinpoint in advance which children will do better with a certain type of therapy, we can improve their lives more quickly and save them the risk of trying medications that are less effective for them. This study adds important information for identifying which children are more likely to respond well to inhaled corticosteroids.”

Possible novel approach to therapy

Natural Relaxant Protects Against Asthma, May Yield New Therapy
Durham, N.C. – A substance that naturally opens airways also offers protection against asthma, a condition that affects about 15 million people in the United States, including five million children, according to Howard Hughes Medical Institute researchers at Duke University Medical Center. The findings suggest that impaired airway relaxation -- as opposed to active constriction -- may be a more important cause of asthma than previously recognized. The results may also yield a novel approach to therapy, the researchers said.

Asthma still a risk during Summer

Asthma Is Still in Session, Even During Summer Break
With school out for the summer, children across the country will be taking to the community pools, baseball fields and other outdoor venues for some fun in the sun. But for the 20 million children in the United States suffering from asthma, it's important that parents not let their child's asthma management take a vacation as well.