Asthma is the most common chronic health condition of childhood. It is also the most common medical diagnosis among children admitted to Seattle Children's. Both the prevalence and and hospitalizations for children with asthma are increasing.
Asthma has a disproportionate impact on poor children and children of color. Low-income families in Seattle and King County are more than twice as likely to have a child with asthma than families in general.
There are a number of items, such as infections, allergens and irritants that can trigger or worsen asthma. Learn about Asthma Triggers (PDF) (Spanish | Vietnamese) that can set off or start your child's asthma. Obesity or inactivity on the part of the child are also important covariates to asthma morbidity.
Research has shown that physical changes in the home environment can decrease exposure to triggers and preventive measures can significantly improve the health of children with asthma. Such measures can substantially reduce missed school days due to asthma.
There is still much to be done in order to prevent and successfully manage pediatric asthma in the primary care setting. Seattle Children's main objectives regarding asthma are to:
- Empower and educate families to successfully manage their child's asthma
- Increase successful primary care management of asthma in children, and access to such community based care
- Educate families about environmental triggers to asthma
Seattle Children's Pulmonary Clinic provides comprehensive inpatient and outpatient consultation and management of infants and children with acute and chronic respiratory disorders, infants and children with complex respiratory disease and ventilator-dependent infants and children.
Seattle Children's Pulmonary Clinic, Asthma Clinics, and the Odessa Brown Children's Clinic Asthma Outreach Project all provide extensive education for parents and children about respiratory disease management.
Seattle Children's and the Odessa Brown Asthma Outreach Project help children and families learn to manage asthma through provision of treatment and education. The goals of the programs are to:
- Prevent chronic and troublesome asthma symptoms and to maintain good breathing function
- Maintain normal activity levels, including exercise, and other physical activity
- Prevent asthma episodes and reduce the need for emergency department visits or hospitalizations
- Provide effective medications and limit their side effects
- Assure patients and families understand the illness and asthma triggers and are satisfied with their asthma care
For more information, contact:
Dr. Greg Redding in Seattle Children's Pulmonary Clinic
Dr. Ted Carter in Seattle Children's Asthma Center
Dr. Jason Debley in the Seattle Children’s Asthma Center
Dr. Jim Stout at the Odessa Brown Children's Clinic