Asthma
Asthma is the most common chronic health condition of childhood. It is also the most common medical diagnosis among children admitted to 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 & 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 281KB) ( Español | 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. 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
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.
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.
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 Children's Pulmonary Clinic.
Dr. Ted Carter
in Children's Asthma Center.
Dr. Jim Stout at the
Odessa Brown Children's Clinic.