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Clinical processes and considerations for diagnosing asthma in children,

including initial investigations, differential diagnosis and further investigations

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CFC chlorofluorocarbon LAMA long-acting muscarinic antagonist
COPD chronic obstructive pulmonary disease LTRA leukotriene receptor antagonist
COX cyclo-oxygenase MBS Medical Benefits Scheme
ED emergency department NIPPV non-invasive positive pressure ventilation
EIB exercise-induced bronchoconstriction NSAIDs nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs
FEV1 forced expiratory volume over one second OCS oral corticosteroids
FVC forced vital capacity OSA obstructive sleep apnoea
FSANZ Food Standards Australia and New Zealand PaCO carbon dioxide partial pressure on blood gas analysis
GORD gastro-oesophageal reflux disease PaO oxygen partial pressure on blood gas analysis
HFA formulated with hydrofluroalkane propellant PBS Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme
ICS inhaled corticosteroid PEF peak expiratory flow
ICU intensive care unit pMDI pressurised metered-dose inhaler or 'puffer'
IgE Immunoglobulin E SABA short-acting beta2 -adrenergic receptor agonist
IV intravenous LAMA long-acting muscarinic antagonist
LABA long-acting beta2-adrenergic receptor agonist TGA Therapeutic Goods Administration

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HOME > DIAGNOSIS > CHILDREN

Diagnosing asthma in children


Overview

A clinical definition of asthma in children


Asthma is defined clinically as the combination of variable respiratory symptoms (e.g. wheeze, shortness of breath, cough
and chest tightness) and excessive variation in lung function, i.e. variation in expiratory airflow that is greater than that
seen in healthy children (variable airflow limitation).
See:A working definition of asthma
There is no single reliable test (gold standard) and there are no standardised diagnostic criteria for asthma.
The clinical diagnosis of asthma in children involves the consideration of:

history of recurrent or persistent wheeze


presence of allergies or family history of asthma and allergies
absence of physical findings that suggest an alternative diagnosis
tests that support the diagnosis (e.g. spirometry in children able to perform the test)
a consistent clinical response to an inhaled bronchodilator or preventer.

Figure: Steps in the diagnosis of asthma in children


Please view and print this figure separately: https://www.asthmahandbook.org.au/figure/show/17

It can be difficult to diagnose asthma with certainty in children aged 05 years, because:

episodic respiratory symptoms such as wheezing and cough are very common in children, particularly in children under 3
years
objective lung function testing by spirometry is usually not feasible in this age group
a high proportion of children who respond to bronchodilator treatment do not go on to have asthma in later childhood
(e.g. by primary school age).

A diagnosis of asthma should not be made if cough is the only or predominant respiratory symptom and there are no
signs of airflow limitation (e.g. wheeze or breathlessness).

In this section

Initial investigations
Investigating asthma-like symptoms in children
https://www.asthmahandbook.org.au/diagnosis/children/initial-investigations

Alternative diagnoses
Considering alternative diagnoses in children
https://www.asthmahandbook.org.au/diagnosis/children/alternative-diagnoses

Provisional diagnosis
Making a provisional diagnosis in children
https://www.asthmahandbook.org.au/diagnosis/children/provisional-diagnosis

1
Treatment trial
Conducting a treatment trial to confirm the diagnosis in children
https://www.asthmahandbook.org.au/diagnosis/children/treatment-trial

Further investigations
Considering further investigations in children
https://www.asthmahandbook.org.au/diagnosis/children/further-investigations

2
Figure: Steps in the diagnosis of asthma in children

* Consider options (treatment trial or further investigations) according to individual circumstances, including child's ability to do bronchial provocation test or
cardiopulmonary exercise test.
Asset ID: 17

3
HOME > DIAGNOSIS > CHILDREN > INITIAL INVESTIGATIONS

Investigating asthma-like symptoms in children


In this section

History and physical examination

Lung function

4
HOME > DIAGNOSIS > CHILDREN > INITIAL INVESTIGATIONS > HISTORY AND PHYSICAL EXAMINATION

Taking a history and performing a physical examination to


investigate asthma-like symptoms in children
Recommendations

Investigate respiratory symptoms in children with wheezing or asthma-like symptoms (e.g. episodic breathlessness).

How this recommendation was developed


s
Consensus
Based on clinical experience and expert opinion (informed by evidence, where available).

Confirm that the breathing sounds described by parents as wheezing are actually wheeze:

If possible, see the child during a bout of wheezing.


Ask parents to make anaudio or videorecording of noisy breathing (e.g. on phone).
Show parents a video of true wheezing and ask them whether signs match their child.

How this recommendation was developed


s
Consensus
Based on clinical experience and expert opinion (informed by evidence, where available), with particular reference
to the following source(s):

1
Brandet al.2008
Global Initiative for Asthma (GINA), 20092
Weinberger and Abu-Hasan, 20073

Ask about:

current symptoms
pattern of symptoms, including frequency and timing of wheezing episodes (whether they occur only when child has
a viral cold, or are unrelated to colds, and whether child coughs or wheezes at other times, e.g. when playing or
laughing)
appearance of childs chest during episodes of noisy breathing to identify chest recession (e.g. ask whether chest
appears to be sucked inwards as child breathes in)
whether child is generally alert, active, socially responsive
home environment (e.g. exposure to smoke, pets)
allergies, including atopic dermatitis (eczema) and allergic rhinitis (hay fever)
family history of asthma and allergies.

How this recommendation was developed


s
Consensus
Based on clinical experience and expert opinion (informed by evidence, where available).

Conduct a general physical examination, including:

height and weight compared with normal range for age


inspection of chest for deformity

5
inspection of upper airway for signs of allergic rhinitis (e.g. swollen turbinates, transverse nasal crease, mouth
breathing) or polyps
auscultation of chest
inspection of fingers for clubbing
skin inspection for atopic dermatitis (eczema), transverse nasal creases, allergic shiners (darkness and swelling
under eyes caused by sinus congestion).

How this recommendation was developed


s
Consensus
Based on clinical experience and expert opinion (informed by evidence, where available).

Identify any signs and symptoms that suggest an alternative diagnosis and which require investigation.

Table. Findings that require investigations in children

Finding Notes

Persistent cough that is not associated with Unlikely to be due to asthma


wheeze/breathlessness or systemic disease

Onset of signs from birth or very early in life Suggests cystic fibrosis, chronic lung disease of
prematurity, primary ciliary dyskinesia,
bronchopulmonary dysplasia,congenital
abnormality

Family history of unusual chest disease Should be enquired about before attributing all the
signs and symptoms to asthma

Severe upper respiratory tract disease (e.g. severe Specialist assessment should be considered
rhinitis, enlarged tonsils and adenoids or nasal polyps)

Crepitations on chest auscultation that do not clear on Suggest a serious lower respiratory tract condition
coughing such as pneumonia, atelectasis, bronchiectasis

Unilateral wheeze Suggests inhaled foreign body

Systemic symptoms (e.g. fever, weight loss, failure to Suggest an alternative systemic disorder
thrive)

Feeding difficulties, including choking or vomiting Suggests aspiration specialist assessment should
be considered

Inspiratory upper airway noises (e.g. stridor, snoring) Acute stridor suggests tracheobronchitis (croup)

Persistent voice abnormality Suggests upper airway disorder

Finger clubbing Suggests cystic fibrosis, bronchiectasis

Chronic (>4 weeks) wet or productive cough Suggests cystic fibrosis, bronchiectasis, chronic
bronchitis, recurrent aspiration, immune
abnormality, ciliary dyskinesia

6
Finding Notes

Focal (localised) lung signs Suggests pneumonia

Nasal polyps in child under 5 years old Suggests cystic fibrosis

Severe chest deformity Harrisons Sulcus and Pectus Carinatum can be due
to uncontrolled asthma, but severe deformity
suggests an alternative diagnosis

Obvious breathing difficulty, especially at rest or at Specialist assessment should be considered


night

Recurrent pneumonia Specialist assessment should be considered

Asset ID: 59

How this recommendation was developed


s
Consensus
Based on clinical experience and expert opinion (informed by evidence, where available), with particular reference
to the following source(s):

Weinberger and Abu-Hasan, 20073


Gibson et al.20104

More information

Definition of wheeze
Wheeze is defined as a continuous, high-pitched sound coming from the chest during expiration.1,2It is a non-specific sign
caused by turbulent air flow due to narrowing of intrathoracic airways and indicates expiratory airflow limitation,
irrespective of the underlying mechanism1 (e.g. bronchoconstriction or secretions in the airway lumen).

Inspiratory sounds (e.g. rattling or stridor) should not be described as wheeze.3

Various forms of noisy breathing, including wheezing, are common among babies and preschoolers.1 Noisy breathing is
particularly common among infants under 6 months old, but only a small proportion have wheeze.1

Parents and doctors sometimes use the word wheeze to mean different things,1, 3 including cough, gasp, a change in
breathing rate or style of breathing. If based on parental report alone, children may be labelled as having wheeze when
they do not have narrowed airways and expiratory flow limitation.1

There are no validated questionnaire-based instruments to identify wheeze in preschoolers,1 so wheezing is best
confirmed by listening with a stethoscope during an episode.
Reported noisy breathing that responds to bronchodilator therapy is likely to be genuine wheeze and to be caused, at
least in part, by constriction of airway smooth muscle.1

Significance of wheeze in children 05 years


Approximately one in three children has at least one episode of wheezing before their third birthday,1 and almost half of
all children have at least one episode of wheezing by age 6 years.1

7
Wheezing is the most common symptom associated with asthma in children aged 5 years and under.2Among people with
a diagnosis of asthma at any time in their life, approximately 80% will have shown signs of respiratory disease, such as
wheezing, in the first years of life.5
However, the presence of wheeze does not mean a child has asthma or will develop asthma:

wheezing in infants up to 12 months old is most commonly due to acute viral bronchiolitis or to small and/or floppy
airways
wheezing in children aged 15 years is usually associated with viral upper respiratory tract infections, which recur
frequently in this age group.1, 2Many children wheeze when they have viral respiratory infections, even if they do not
have asthma2
among preschoolers with recurrent wheezing, only approximately one in three will have asthma at age 6 years5
wheezing can also be due to many conditions other than asthma, including anatomical abnormalities of the airways,
cystic fibrosis, bronchomalacia.1

Asthma versus wheezing disorder in children 05 years


Although many individuals later diagnosed with asthma first show respiratory symptoms by the age of 5 years,1 it is
difficult to make the diagnosis of asthma with a high degree of certainty in a baby or preschool child.

Some international guidelines1 avoid using the term asthma for preschool children, because there is not enough evidence
to know whether the pathophysiology of recurrent wheezing and asthma-like symptoms in preschool children is the same
as that of asthma in older children and in adults,1 and because many young children with wheezing will not go on to
develop asthma at school age.1 The more general term wheezing disorder is sometimes used in preference to asthma for
children aged 5 years and under.1

Classification of symptom patterns in children


The pattern and severity of symptoms in a childwith asthma or wheezing disorder is a guide to initial treatment.

Table. Definitions of asthma patterns in children aged 05 years not taking regular preventer

Category Pattern and intensity of symptoms (when not taking regular


treatment)

Infrequent intermittent asthma Symptom-free for at least 6 weeks at a time (flare-upsup to


once every 6 weeks on average but no symptoms between
flare-ups)

Frequent intermittent asthma Flare-ups more than once every 6 weeks on average but no
symptoms between flare-ups

Persistent asthma Mild At least one of:

Daytime symptoms more than once per week but not


every day

Night-time symptoms more than twice per month but not
every week

Moderate Any of:

Daytime symptomsdaily
Night-time symptomsmore than once per week

8
Category Pattern and intensity of symptoms (when not taking regular
treatment)

Symptoms sometimes restrict activity or sleep

Severe Any of:

Daytime symptoms continual



Night-time symptoms frequent
Flare-ups frequent
Symptoms frequently restrict activity or sleep

Symptoms between flare-ups.A flare-up is defined as a period of worsening asthma symptoms, from mild (e.g.
symptoms that are just outside the normal range of variation for the child, documented when well) to severe (e.g.
events that require urgent action by parents and health professionals to prevent a serious outcome such as
hospitalisation or death from asthma).
Note:Use this table when the diagnosis of asthma can be made with reasonable confidence (e.g. a child with wheezing
accompanied by persistent cough or breathing difficulty, no signs or symptoms that suggest a potentially serious
alternative diagnosis, and the presence ofother factors that increase the probability of asthma such as family history
of allergies or asthma).
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Table. Definitions of asthma patterns in children aged 6 years and over not taking regular preventer

Category Pattern and intensity of symptoms (when not taking regular


treatment)

Infrequent intermittent asthma Symptom-free for at least 6 weeks at a time (flare-ups up to


once every 6 weeks on average but no symptoms between
flare-ups)

Frequent intermittent asthma Flare-ups more than once every 6 weeks on average but no
symptoms between flare-ups

Persistent asthma Mild FEV1 80% predicted and at least one of:

Daytime symptoms more than once per week but not


every day
Night-time symptoms more than twice per month but not
every week

Moderate Any of:

FEV1 <80% predicted

Daytime symptoms daily


Night-time symptoms more than once per week

9
Category Pattern and intensity of symptoms (when not taking regular
treatment)

Symptoms sometimes restrict activity or sleep

Severe Any of:

FEV1 60% predicted

Daytime symptomscontinual
Night-time symptoms frequent
Flare-ups frequent
Symptoms frequently restrict activity or sleep

It may not be appropriate to make the diagnosis of asthma in children aged 6 or older who wheeze only during upper
respiratory tract infections. These children can be considered to have episodic (viral) wheeze.
Symptoms between flare-ups.A flare-up is defined as a period of worsening asthma symptoms, from mild (e.g.
symptoms that are just outside the normal range of variation for the child, documented when well) to severe (e.g.
events that require urgent action by parents and health professionals to prevent a serious outcome such as
hospitalisation or death from asthma).
Asset ID: 15

For children already taking regular preventer treatment, adjustments to the treatment regimen are based on finding
the lowest dose of medicines that will maintain good control of symptoms.

Short-term and long-term wheezing patterns in children: 05 years


Patterns of childhood wheezing over the short term
Classifying a childs current pattern of symptoms can be useful for making immediate management decisions. The
following descriptions of wheezing patterns apply to the pattern of symptoms in children aged 05 years and are
sometimes used in clinical trials:
Episodic (viral) wheeze: episodes of wheezing (e.g. for a few days when child has a viral cold), but no wheezing between
episodes.1,2
Multiple-trigger wheeze: episodes of wheezing from time to time, with cough and wheeze between episodes when child
does not have a viral cold (e.g. when the child cries, plays or laughs).1,2
However, these patterns are not stable over time and have limited use in predicting whether or not a wheezing preschool
child will have asthma by primary school age.6,7 An individual child is likely to show a different pattern within one year.6
Patterns of childhood wheezing over the longterm
Longitudinal population-based cohort studies8,9 of preschool children with wheezing have identified various long-term
patterns (wheezing phenotypes).1

Table. Systems for retrospectively classifying the duration of childhood wheeze

Classification Phenotypes Description


system/source identified

Transient wheeze Wheezing commences before the age of 3 years and disappear
by age 6 years

10
Classification Phenotypes Description
system/source identified

Tucson Childrens Persistent wheeze Wheezing continues until up to or after age 6 years
Respiratory Study
Late-onset wheeze Wheezing starts after age 3 years.

Avon Longitudinal Transient early Wheezing mainly occurs before 18 months, then mainly
Study of Parents wheeze disappears by age 3.5 years
and Children
Not associated with hypersensitivity to airborne allergens

Prolonged early Wheezing occurs mainly between age 6 months and 4.5 years,
wheeze then mainly disappears before childs 6th birthday

Not associated with hypersensitivity to airborne allergens

Associated with a higher risk of airway hyperresponsiveness


and reduced lung function at age 89 years, compared with
never/infrequent wheeze phenotype

Intermediate-onset Wheezing begins sometime after age 18 months and before


wheeze 3.5 years.

Strongly associated with atopy (especially house mite, cat


allergen), higher risk of airway hyperresponsiveness and
reduced lung function at age 89 years, compared with
never/infrequent wheeze phenotype

Late-onset wheeze Wheezing mainly begins after age 3.5 years

Strongly associated with atopy (especially house mite, cat


allergen, grass pollen)

Persistent wheeze Wheezing mainly begins after 6 months and continues through
to primary school

Strongly associated with atopy

Notes
Terms can only be identified after the child has stopped wheezing for several years and cannot be applied to a
preschool child.

Transient wheeze, persistent wheeze and late-onset wheeze can be episodic or multiple-trigger wheeze.#
Sources
Martinez FD, Wright AL, Taussig LM et al. Asthma and wheezing in the first six years of life. The Group Health
Medical Associates. N Engl J Med 1995; 332: 133-8. Available from:
http://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJM199501193320301#t=article
Morgan WJ, Stern DA, Sherrill DL et al. Outcome of asthma and wheezing in the first 6 years of life: follow-up
through adolescence. Am J Respir Crit Care Med 2005; 172: 1253-8. Available from:
http://ajrccm.atsjournals.org/content/172/10/1253.long
Henderson J, Granell R, Heron J et al. Associations of wheezing phenotypes in the first 6 years of life with atopy, lung
function and airway responsiveness in mid-childhood. Thorax 2008; 63: 974-80. Available from:
http://thorax.bmj.com/content/63/11/974.long

11
# Brand PL, Baraldi E, Bisgaard H et al. Definition, assessment and treatment of wheezing disorders in preschool
children: an evidence-based approach [European Respiratory Society Task Force]. Eur Respir J 2008; 32: 1096-110.
Available from: http://erj.ersjournals.com/content/32/4/1096.full
Asset ID: 10

Early childhood wheezing phenotypes cannot be recognised or applied clinically, because they are recognised
retrospectively.1 In an individual child with episodic wheeze, it is not possible to accurately predict epidemiological
phenotype from clinical phenotype.1
Currently available tools for predicting whether a wheezing preschool child will have asthma at school age (e.g. the
Asthma Predictive Index5) have limited clinical value.7

Go to: National Asthma Council Australia'sAsthma and wheezing in the first years of life information paper

'Wheeze-detecting' devices
Some hand-held devices and smart phone applications are marketed for detecting and measuring wheeze by audio
recording and analysis.
There is not enough evidence to recommend these devices and apps for use in monitoring asthma symptoms or asthma
control in adults or children, or in distinguishing wheeze from other airway sounds in children.

Over-reliance on these devices could result in over- or under-treatment.

Cough and asthma in children


Relationship of cough to asthma in children
Misdiagnosis of nonspecific cough as asthma can result in overtreatment in children.
Cough can indicate the possibility of a serious underlying illness and warrant further assessment and investigations.4

Table. Red flags for cough in children

Wet or productive cough lasting more than 4 weeks

Obvious difficulty breathing, especially at rest or at night

Systemic symptoms: fever, failure to thrive or poor growth velocity

Feeding difficulties (including choking or vomiting)

Recurrent pneumonia

Inspiratory stridor (other than during acute tracheobronchitis)

Abnormalities on respiratory examination

Abnormal findings on chest X-ray

Clubbing of fingers

Source
Gibson PG, Chang AB, Glasgow NJ et al.,CICADA: Cough in Children and Adults: Diagnosis and Assessment. Australian
cough guidelines summary statement. Med J Aust, 2010; 192: 265-71. Available from:
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20201760
Asset ID: 13

Chronic cough (cough lasting more than 4 weeks)without other features of asthma is unlikely to be due to asthma.4

12
Cough is a frequent symptom in children with asthma, but may have a different mechanism from other symptoms of
asthma (e.g. wheeze, chest tightness or breathlessness). Children who have recurrent cough, but do not wheeze, are
unlikely to have asthma.10A very small minority of children with recurrent nocturnal cough, but no other asthma
symptoms, may be considered to have a diagnosis of atypical asthma.10 This diagnosis should be only made in
consultation with a paediatric respiratory physician.
In children with no abnormalities detected on physical examination, chest X-ray or spirometry, and no wheezing or
breathlessness, chronic coughis most likely:4

due to protracted bacterial bronchitis (resolves with 26 weeks treatment with antibiotics)4
post-viral (resolves with time)
due to exposure to tobacco smoke and other pollutants.4

Frequency of cough reported by parents correlates poorly with frequency measured using diary cards or by audio
recording monitors.11
0-5 years
Most cases of coughing in preschool children are not due to asthma:

Recurrent cough in preschool children, in the absence of other signs, is most likely due to recurrent viral bronchitis.
Cough due to viral infection is unresponsive to bronchodilators and preventerssuch as montelukast, cromones or
inhaled corticosteroids.
Children attending day care or preschool can have a succession of viral infections that merge into each other,11giving
the false appearance of chronic cough (cough lasting more than 4 weeks).

In preschool-aged children, cough may be due to asthma when it occurs during episodes of wheezing and breathlessness
or when the child does not have a cold.
6 years and over
Chronic cough may be due to asthma if the cough is episodic and associated with other features of asthma such as
expiratory wheeze, exercise-related breathlessness, or airflow limitation objectively demonstrated by spirometry
(particularly if responsive to a bronchodilator).4

Go to:Australian Cough Guidelines

Alternative diagnoses in children


Other conditions characterised by wheezing, breathlessness or cough can be confused with asthma. These include:

protracted bacterial bronchitis4,12


habit-cough syndrome4
upper airway dysfunction.3

Table. Conditions that can be confused with asthma in children

Conditions characterised by cough

Pertussis (whooping cough)

Cystic fibrosis

Airway abnormalities (e.g. tracheomalacia, bronchomalacia)

Protracted bacterial bronchitis in young children

Habit-cough syndrome

Conditions characterised by wheezing

Upper airway dysfunction

13
Conditions characterised by cough

Inhaled foreign body causing partial airway obstruction

Tracheomalacia

Conditions characterised by difficulty breathing

Hyperventilation

Anxiety

Breathlessness on exertion due to poor cardiopulmonary fitness

Source
Weinberger M, Abu-Hasan M. Pseudo-asthma: when cough, wheezing, and dyspnea are not asthma. Pediatrics 2007;
120: 855-64. Available from: http://pediatrics.aappublications.org/content/120/4/855.full
Asset ID: 11

Table. Findings that increase or decrease the probability of asthma in children

Asthma more likely Asthma less likely

More than one of: Any of:

wheeze symptoms only occur when child has a cold, but


difficulty breathing not between colds
feeling of tightness in the chest isolated cough in the absence of wheeze or
cough difficulty breathing
history of moist cough
dizziness, light-headedness or peripheral
AND
tingling

Any of: repeatedly normal physical examination of


chest when symptomatic
symptoms recur frequently normal spirometry when symptomatic (children
symptoms worse at night and in the early old enough to perform spirometry)
morning no response to a trial of asthma treatment
symptoms triggered by exercise, exposure to clinical features that suggest an alternative
pets, cold air, damp air, emotions, laughing diagnosis
symptoms occur when child doesnt have a cold
history of allergies (e.g. allergic rhinitis, atopic
dermatitis)
family history of allergies
family history of asthma
widespread wheeze heard on auscultation
symptoms respond to treatment trial of
reliever, with or without a preventer
lung function measured by spirometry increases
in response to rapid-acting bronchodilator

14
Asthma more likely Asthma less likely

lung function measured by spirometry increases


in response to a treatment trial with inhaled
corticosteroid (where indicated)

Sources
British Thoracic Society (BTS), Scottish Intercollegiate Guidelines Network (SIGN).British Guideline on the management
of Asthma. A national clinical guideline. BTS/SIGN, Edinburgh, 2012. Availablefrom:https://www.brit-
thoracic.org.uk/guidelines-and-quality-standards/asthma-guideline
Respiratory Expert Group, Therapeutic Guidelines Limited. Therapeutic Guidelines: Respiratory, Version 4. Therapeutic
Guidelines Limited, Melbourne,2009.
Asset ID: 12

Go to: Australian Cough Guidelines

Relationship of allergies to asthma


A history of other atopic conditions (e.g. eczema and rhinitis) increases the probability of asthma in wheezing children.13
A family history of asthma or allergies in a first-degree relative is a risk factor for atopy and asthma in
children.13,2 Maternal atopy is most strongly associated with childhood onset of asthma and for recurrent wheezing that
persists throughout childhood.13

See: Allergies and asthma

Diagnostic difficulties when investigating asthma-like symptoms in adolescents


Asthma is commonly misdiagnosed in young people presenting with exercise-related symptoms or cough.14 Conditions
associated with dyspnoea include hyperventilation, anxiety, and poor cardiopulmonary fitness.3

Both denial and overplay of symptoms has been observed among adolescents.14 Adolescents with new or re-emerging
asthma symptoms may deny their symptoms.14 US data suggest that risk factors for undiagnosed asthma among
adolescents include female sex, smoking (current smoking and exposure to others smoke), low socioeconomic status,
family problems, low physical activity and high body mass.15

Confidentiality issues for adolescents


Adolescents concerns about confidentiality prevent them using health care services, especially if substance use is likely to
be raised. Adolescents are more likely to disclose information about health risk behaviours, and are more likely to return
for review, if they know that confidential information will not be revealed to their parents or others.16
When adolescents are accompanied by parents or carers, health care providers should consider seeing the adolescent
alone for part of each consultation.16

Health professionals should discuss confidentiality and its limits with adolescents.16, 13 Adolescents are more willing to
communicate honestly with healthcare professionals who discuss confidentiality with them.17
Health professionals need to clearly explain which personal health information can be confidential and which must be
shared with parents, and keep parents informed.

Health care providers should advise adolescents that they can obtain their own Medicare card once they turn 15.16

Go to: Royal Australasian College of Physicians Working with young people online resource (see Privacy and
confidentiality in adolescent health care in Topic 2: Ethical and legal issues)
Go to: Australian Government Department of Human Services'Young people becoming independent webpage

15
Exercise-related symptoms in adolescents
In adolescents, exercise-related wheezing and breathlessness are poor predictors of exercise-induced
bronchoconstriction. Only a minority of adolescents referred for assessment of exercise-induced respiratory symptoms
show objective evidence of exercise-induced bronchoconstriction.13
For adolescents with exercise-related symptoms, common conditions that should be considered in the differential
diagnosis includepoor cardiopulmonary fitness, exercise-induced upper airway dysfunction and exercise-induced
hyperventilation.14,18
In addition to spirometry, other objective tests (e.g. cardiopulmonary fitness testing, bronchial provocation tests) may be
helpful to clarify the diagnosis and inform management.

See:Investigation and management of exercise-induced bronchoconstriction

References

1. Brand PL, Baraldi E, Bisgaard H, et al. Definition, assessment and treatment of wheezing disorders in preschool
children: an evidence-based approach. Eur Respir J. 2008; 32: 1096-1110. Available from:
http://erj.ersjournals.com/content/32/4/1096.full
2. Global Initiative for Asthma (GINA). Global strategy for the diagnosis and management of asthma in children 5 years and
younger. GINA, 2009. Available from: http://www.ginasthma.org/
3. Weinberger M, Abu-Hasan M. Pseudo-asthma: when cough, wheezing, and dyspnea are not asthma. Pediatrics. 2007;
120: 855-864. Available from: http://pediatrics.aappublications.org/content/120/4/855.full
4. Gibson PG, Chang AB, Glasgow NJ, et al. CICADA: cough in children and adults: diagnosis and assessment. Australian
cough guidelines summary statement. Med J Aust. 2010; 192: 265-271. Available from:
http://www.lungfoundation.com.au/professional-resources/guidelines/cough-guidelines
5. Castro-Rodriguez JA. The Asthma Predictive Index: a very useful tool for predicting asthma in young children. J
Allergy Clin Immunol. 2010; 126: 212-216. Available from: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20624655
6. Schultz A, Devadason SG, Savenije OE, et al. The transient value of classifying preschool wheeze into episodic viral
wheeze and multiple trigger wheeze. Acta Paediatr. 2010; 99: 56-60. Available from:
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19764920
7. Savenije OE, Kerkhof M, Koppelman GH, Postma DS. Predicting who will have asthma at school age among preschool
children. J Allergy Clin Immunol. 2012; 130: 325-331. Available from:
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22704537
8. Martinez FD, Wright AL, Taussig LM, et al. Asthma and wheezing in the first six years of life. N Engl J Med. 1995; 332:
133-138. Available from: http://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJM199501193320301#t=article
9. Henderson J, Granell R, Heron J, et al. Associations of wheezing phenotypes in the first 6 years of life with atopy, lung
function and airway responsiveness in mid-childhood. Thorax. 2008; 63: 974-980. Available from:
http://thorax.bmj.com/content/63/11/974.long
10. van Asperen PP. Cough and asthma. Paediatr Resp Rev. 2006; 7: 26-30. Available from:
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16473813
11. Bush A. Diagnosis of asthma in children under five. Prim Care Respir J. 2007; 16: 7-15. Available from:
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17297521
12. Craven V, Everard ML. Protracted bacterial bronchitis: reinventing an old disease. Arch Dis Child. 2013; 98: 72-76.
Available from: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23175647
13. British Thoracic Society (BTS), Scottish Intercollegiate Guidelines Network (SIGN). British Guideline on the
Management of Asthma. A national clinical guideline. BTS, SIGN, Edinburgh, 2012. Available from: https://www.brit-
thoracic.org.uk/guidelines-and-quality-standards/asthma-guideline/
14. Towns SJ, van Asperen PP. Diagnosis and management of asthma in adolescents. Clin Respir J. 2009; 3: 69-76.
Available from: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20298380
15. Yeatts K, Davis KJ, Sotir M, et al. Who gets diagnosed with asthma? Frequent wheeze among adolescents with and
without a diagnosis of asthma. Pediatrics. 2003; 111: 1046-54. Available from:
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/12728087
16. The Royal Australasian College of Physicians Joint Adolescent Health Committee. Confidential Health Care for
Adolescents and Young People (1224 years). The Royal Australasian College of Physicians, 2010. Available from:
http://www.racp.edu.au/
17. The Royal Australasian College of Physicians. Routine adolescent psychosocial health assessment. Position statement. The
Royal Australasian College of Physicians, Sydney, 2008. Available from:
http://www.racp.edu.au/fellows/resources/paediatric-resources
18. Tilles SA. Exercise-induced respiratory symptoms: an epidemic among adolescents. Ann Allergy Asthma Immunol.
2010; 104: 361-7; 368-70, 412. Available from: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20486325

16
HOME > DIAGNOSIS > CHILDREN > INITIAL INVESTIGATIONS > LUNG FUNCTION

Assessing lung function in children 6 years and over


Recommendations

In children able to perform spirometry, measure bronchodilator reversibility by performing spirometry before and after
giving inhaled rapid-onset beta2 agonistbronchodilator (e.g. 4 puffs of salbutamol 100 mcg/actuation)by metered-dose
inhaler and spacer.
Notes
If reliable equipment and appropriately trained staff are available, spirometry can be performed in primary care. If not, refer to an
appropriate provider such as an accredited respiratory function laboratory.
Most children aged 6 and older can perform spirometry reliably.
Airflow limitation is defined as reversible (i.e. bronchodilator response is clinically important) if FEV1 increases by 12%.

How this recommendation was developed


s
Consensus
Based on clinical experience and expert opinion (informed by evidence, where available).

Operators who perform spirometry should receive comprehensive training to ensure good quality.

How this recommendation was developed


s
Consensus
Based on clinical experience and expert opinion (informed by evidence, where available).

More information

Spirometry in children
Measuring lung function in young children is difficult and requires techniques that are not widely available.1 Generally,
spirometry cannot be performed to acceptable standards in children younger than 45 years.2
Some older children cannot perform spirometry either. However, children who are unable to perform spirometry
satisfactorily on their first visit are often able to perform the test correctly at the next visit.2
Spirometry is poor at discriminating between children with asthma and those with airway obstruction due to other
conditions.1

Normal spirometry in a child, especially when asymptomatic, does not exclude the diagnosis of asthma.1 FEV1 is often
normal in children with persistent asthma.1
Reduced FEV1 alone does not indicate that a child has asthma, because it may be seen with other lung diseases (or be due
to poor spirometric technique).
A significant increase in FEV1 (>12% from baseline) after administering a bronchodilator (e.g. 4 puffs of salbutamol 100
mcg/actuation)indicates thatairflow limitation is reversible and supports the diagnosis of asthma. In children with
asthma, it is also predictive of a good lung functionresponse to inhaled corticosteroids.1 However, an absent response to
bronchodilators does not exclude asthma.1

Go to:National Asthma Council AustraliasSpirometry Resources

17
Bronchial provocation (challenge) tests in children
Clinical assessment is more sensitive for confirming the diagnosis of asthma than tests for airway hyperresponsiveness.
The main roles of bronchial provocation (challenge) tests of airway hyperresponsiveness (airway hyperreactivity) are to
confirm or exclude asthma as the cause of current symptoms, including exercise-associated respiratory symptoms such as
dyspnoea or noisy breathing.3,4
Challenge tests are performed in accredited lung function testing laboratories. These tests are usually difficult to perform
in children under 8 years of age because they involve repeated spirometry tests.
If challenge testing is needed, consider referring to a paediatric respiratory physician for investigation, or discussing with
a paediatric respiratory physician before selecting which test to order.
Do not test during a respiratory infection, or initiate inhaled corticosteroid treatment afew weeks before challenge
testing, because these could invalidate the result.
Bronchial provocation tests of airway hyperresponsiveness include:

exercise challenge test5


mannitol challenge test6,7
methacholine challenge test.8, 9

Roles of other lung function tests in diagnosing asthma in children


Peak expiratory flow meters in asthma diagnosis
Variability in lung function based on serial homemeasures of peak expiratory flowand FEV1 shows poor concordance
with disease activity in children.1
Using a peak flow meter to measure peak expiratory flow in children does notreliably rule the diagnosis of asthma in or
out.1
Newer tests under investigation
Impulse oscillometry, tests of specific airways resistance, and measurements of residual volume are being investigated for
use in asthma diagnosis and management,10, 11but their availability is mainly restricted to specialist and research centres.1

References

1. British Thoracic Society (BTS), Scottish Intercollegiate Guidelines Network (SIGN). British Guideline on the
Management of Asthma. A national clinical guideline. BTS, SIGN, Edinburgh, 2012. Available from: https://www.brit-
thoracic.org.uk/guidelines-and-quality-standards/asthma-guideline/
2. Johns DP, Pierce R. Pocket guide to spirometry. 3rd edn. McGraw Hill, North Ryde, 2011.
3. Anderson SD. Bronchial challenge tests: usefulness, availability and challenges. Breathe. 2011; 8: 53-60. Available
from: http://www.ers-education.org
4. Cockcroft DW. Direct challenge tests: airway hyperresponsiveness in asthma: its measurement and clinical
significance. Chest. 2010; 138(2 Suppl): 18S-24S. Available from:
http://journal.publications.chestnet.org/article.aspx?articleid=1086632
5. Anderson SD, Pearlman DS, Rundell KW, et al. Reproducibility of the airway response to an exercise protocol
standardized for intensity, duration, and inspired air conditions, in subjects with symptoms suggestive of asthma.
Respir Res. 2010; Sept 1: 120. Available from: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2939602/
6. Barben J, Roberts M, Chew N, et al. Repeatability of bronchial responsiveness to mannitol dry powder in children with
asthma. Pediatr Pulmonol. 2003; 36: 490-4. Available from: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/14618640
7. Kersten ET, Driessen JM, van der Berg JD, Thio BJ. Mannitol and exercise challenge tests in asthmatic children.
Pediatr Pulmonol. 2009; 44: 655-661. Available from: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19499571
8. Liem JJ, Kozyrskyj AL, Cockroft DW, Becker AB. Diagnosing asthma in children: what is the role for methacholine
bronchoprovocation testing?. Pediatr Pulmonol. 2008; 43: 481-9. Available from:
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18383334
9. Carlsten C, Dimich-Ward H, Ferguson A, et al. Airway hyperresponsiveness to methacholine in 7-year-old children:
sensitivity and specificity for pediatric allergist-diagnosed asthma. Pediatr Pulmonol. 2011; 46: 175-178. Available
from: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20963839
10. Child F. The measurement of airways resistance using the interrupter technique (Rint). Paediatr Respir Rev. 2005; 6:
273-7. Available from: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16298310

18
11. Oostveen E, MacLeod D, Lorino H, et al. The forced oscillation technique in clinical practice: methodology,
recommendations and future developments. Eur Respir J Supplement. 2003; 22: 1026-41. Available from:
http://erj.ersjournals.com/content/22/6/1026.long

19
HOME > DIAGNOSIS > CHILDREN > ALTERNATIVE DIAGNOSES

Considering alternative diagnoses in children


Recommendations

Consider features that increase or reduce the probability of asthma.

Table. Findings that increase or decrease the probability of asthma in children

Asthma more likely Asthma less likely

More than one of: Any of:

wheeze symptoms only occur when child has a cold, but


difficulty breathing not between colds
feeling of tightness in the chest isolated cough in the absence of wheeze or
cough difficulty breathing
history of moist cough
dizziness, light-headedness or peripheral
AND
tingling

Any of: repeatedly normal physical examination of


chest when symptomatic
symptoms recur frequently normal spirometry when symptomatic (children
symptoms worse at night and in the early old enough to perform spirometry)
morning no response to a trial of asthma treatment
symptoms triggered by exercise, exposure to clinical features that suggest an alternative
pets, cold air, damp air, emotions, laughing diagnosis
symptoms occur when child doesnt have a cold
history of allergies (e.g. allergic rhinitis, atopic
dermatitis)
family history of allergies
family history of asthma
widespread wheeze heard on auscultation
symptoms respond to treatment trial of
reliever, with or without a preventer
lung function measured by spirometry increases
in response to rapid-acting bronchodilator
lung function measured by spirometry increases
in response to a treatment trial with inhaled
corticosteroid (where indicated)

Sources

20
British Thoracic Society (BTS), Scottish Intercollegiate Guidelines Network (SIGN).British Guideline on the management
of Asthma. A national clinical guideline. BTS/SIGN, Edinburgh, 2012. Availablefrom:https://www.brit-
thoracic.org.uk/guidelines-and-quality-standards/asthma-guideline
Respiratory Expert Group, Therapeutic Guidelines Limited. Therapeutic Guidelines: Respiratory, Version 4. Therapeutic
Guidelines Limited, Melbourne,2009.
Asset ID: 12

How this recommendation was developed


s
Consensus
Based on clinical experience and expert opinion (informed by evidence, where available), with particular reference
to the following source(s):

British Thoracic Society, Scottish Intercollegiate Guidelines Network, 20121


Respiratory Expert Group Therapeutic Guidelines Limited, 20092

Do not assume that cough is due to asthma in the absence of wheezing or breathlessness. Misdiagnosis of asthma in a
child with nonspecific coughcan result in overtreatment in children.

How this recommendation was developed


s
Adapted from existing guidance
Based on reliable clinical practice guideline(s) or position statement(s):

Gibson et al.20103

If cough is a prominent symptom, investigate according to thecurrent Australian Cough Guidelines.

Go to:Australian Cough Guidelines

How this recommendation was developed


s
Adapted from existing guidance
Based on reliable clinical practice guideline(s) or position statement(s):

Gibsonet al.20103

Considerthe following alternative diagnoses before making a clinical diagnosis of asthma:

bronchiolitis (babies)
tracheobronchitis (croup)
sleep-disordered breathing
inhaled foreign body
structural airway problems (e.g. tracheomalacia, bronchopulmonary dysplasia, malformation causing narrowing of
intrathoracic airways, vascular ring anomaly compressing bronchus)
infections (e.g. recurrent respiratory tract infections, chronic rhinosinusitis, protracted bacterial bronchitis)
chronic suppurative lung disease (e.g. consider cystic fibrosis, immune deficiency, primary ciliary dyskinesia or
chronic aspiration as underlying cause)
aspiration (e.g. due to gastro-oesophageal reflux, discoordinated swallowing, anatomical connection such as tracheo-
oesophageal fistula or laryngeal cleft, or neurodevelopmental abnormalities)
congenital heart disease
other upper airway disease (e.g. rhinosinusitis, postnasal drip, obstructive sleep apnoea, upper airway dysfunction)
tumours
pulmonary oedema.

Table. Conditions that can be confused with asthma in children

21
Conditions characterised by cough

Pertussis (whooping cough)

Cystic fibrosis

Airway abnormalities (e.g. tracheomalacia, bronchomalacia)

Protracted bacterial bronchitis in young children

Habit-cough syndrome

Conditions characterised by wheezing

Upper airway dysfunction

Inhaled foreign body causing partial airway obstruction

Tracheomalacia

Conditions characterised by difficulty breathing

Hyperventilation

Anxiety

Breathlessness on exertion due to poor cardiopulmonary fitness

Source
Weinberger M, Abu-Hasan M. Pseudo-asthma: when cough, wheezing, and dyspnea are not asthma. Pediatrics 2007;
120: 855-64. Available from: http://pediatrics.aappublications.org/content/120/4/855.full
Asset ID: 11

How this recommendation was developed


s
Consensus
Based on clinical experience and expert opinion (informed by evidence, where available).

More information

Definition of wheeze
Wheeze is defined as a continuous, high-pitched sound coming from the chest during expiration.4,5It is a non-specific sign
caused by turbulent air flow due to narrowing of intrathoracic airways and indicates expiratory airflow limitation,
irrespective of the underlying mechanism4 (e.g. bronchoconstriction or secretions in the airway lumen).

Inspiratory sounds (e.g. rattling or stridor) should not be described as wheeze.6


4
Various forms of noisy breathing, including wheezing, are common among babies and preschoolers. Noisy breathing is
4
particularly common among infants under 6 months old, but only a small proportion have wheeze.

Parents and doctors sometimes use the word wheeze to mean different things,4, 6 including cough, gasp, a change in
breathing rate or style of breathing. If based on parental report alone, children may be labelled as having wheeze when
they do not have narrowed airways and expiratory flow limitation.4

There are no validated questionnaire-based instruments to identify wheeze in preschoolers,4 so wheezing is best
confirmed by listening with a stethoscope during an episode.

22
Reported noisy breathing that responds to bronchodilator therapy is likely to be genuine wheeze and to be caused, at
least in part, by constriction of airway smooth muscle.4

Significance of wheeze in children 05 years


4
Approximately one in three children has at least one episode of wheezing before their third birthday, and almost half of
4
all children have at least one episode of wheezing by age 6 years.

Wheezing is the most common symptom associated with asthma in children aged 5 years and under.5Among people with
a diagnosis of asthma at any time in their life, approximately 80% will have shown signs of respiratory disease, such as
wheezing, in the first years of life.7
However, the presence of wheeze does not mean a child has asthma or will develop asthma:

wheezing in infants up to 12 months old is most commonly due to acute viral bronchiolitis or to small and/or floppy
airways
wheezing in children aged 15 years is usually associated with viral upper respiratory tract infections, which recur
frequently in this age group.4, 5Many children wheeze when they have viral respiratory infections, even if they do not
have asthma5
among preschoolers with recurrent wheezing, only approximately one in three will have asthma at age 6 years7
wheezing can also be due to many conditions other than asthma, including anatomical abnormalities of the airways,
cystic fibrosis, bronchomalacia.4

Classification of symptom patterns in children


The pattern and severity of symptoms in a childwith asthma or wheezing disorder is a guide to initial treatment.

Table. Definitions of asthma patterns in children aged 05 years not taking regular preventer

Category Pattern and intensity of symptoms (when not taking regular


treatment)

Infrequent intermittent asthma Symptom-free for at least 6 weeks at a time (flare-upsup to


once every 6 weeks on average but no symptoms between
flare-ups)

Frequent intermittent asthma Flare-ups more than once every 6 weeks on average but no
symptoms between flare-ups

Persistent asthma Mild At least one of:

Daytime symptoms more than once per week but not


every day
Night-time symptoms more than twice per month but not
every week

Moderate Any of:

Daytime symptomsdaily
Night-time symptomsmore than once per week
Symptoms sometimes restrict activity or sleep

23
Category Pattern and intensity of symptoms (when not taking regular
treatment)

Severe Any of:

Daytime symptoms continual


Night-time symptomsfrequent
Flare-ups frequent
Symptoms frequently restrict activity or sleep

Symptoms between flare-ups.A flare-up is defined as a period of worsening asthma symptoms, from mild (e.g.
symptoms that are just outside the normal range of variation for the child, documented when well) to severe (e.g.
events that require urgent action by parents and health professionals to prevent a serious outcome such as
hospitalisation or death from asthma).
Note:Use this table when the diagnosis of asthma can be made with reasonable confidence (e.g. a child with wheezing
accompanied by persistent cough or breathing difficulty, no signs or symptoms that suggest a potentially serious
alternative diagnosis, and the presence ofother factors that increase the probability of asthma such as family history
of allergies or asthma).
Asset ID: 14

Table. Definitions of asthma patterns in children aged 6 years and over not taking regular preventer

Category Pattern and intensity of symptoms (when not taking regular


treatment)

Infrequent intermittent asthma Symptom-free for at least 6 weeks at a time (flare-ups up to


once every 6 weeks on average but no symptoms between
flare-ups)

Frequent intermittent asthma Flare-ups more than once every 6 weeks on average but no
symptoms between flare-ups

Persistent asthma Mild FEV1 80% predicted and at least one of:

Daytime symptoms more than once per week but not


every day
Night-time symptoms more than twice per month but not
every week

Moderate Any of:

FEV1 <80% predicted

Daytime symptoms daily


Night-time symptoms more than once per week
Symptoms sometimes restrict activity or sleep

24
Category Pattern and intensity of symptoms (when not taking regular
treatment)

Severe Any of:

FEV1 60% predicted



Daytime symptoms continual
Night-time symptoms frequent
Flare-ups frequent
Symptoms frequently restrict activity or sleep

It may not be appropriate to make the diagnosis of asthma in children aged 6 or older who wheeze only during upper
respiratory tract infections. These children can be considered to have episodic (viral) wheeze.
Symptoms between flare-ups.A flare-up is defined as a period of worsening asthma symptoms, from mild (e.g.
symptoms that are just outside the normal range of variation for the child, documented when well) to severe (e.g.
events that require urgent action by parents and health professionals to prevent a serious outcome such as
hospitalisation or death from asthma).
Asset ID: 15

For children already taking regular preventer treatment, adjustments to the treatment regimen are based on finding
the lowest dose of medicines that will maintain good control of symptoms.

Short-term and long-term wheezing patterns in children: 05 years


Patterns of childhood wheezing over the short term
Classifying a childs current pattern of symptoms can be useful for making immediate management decisions. The
following descriptions of wheezing patterns apply to the pattern of symptoms in children aged 05 years and are
sometimes used in clinical trials:
Episodic (viral) wheeze: episodes of wheezing (e.g. for a few days when child has a viral cold), but no wheezing between
episodes.4,5
Multiple-trigger wheeze: episodes of wheezing from time to time, with cough and wheeze between episodes when child
does not have a viral cold (e.g. when the child cries, plays or laughs).4,5
However, these patterns are not stable over time and have limited use in predicting whether or not a wheezing preschool
child will have asthma by primary school age.8,9 An individual child is likely to show a different pattern within one year.8
Patterns of childhood wheezing over the longterm
Longitudinal population-based cohort studies10,11 of preschool children with wheezing have identified various long-term
patterns (wheezing phenotypes).4

Table. Systems for retrospectively classifying the duration of childhood wheeze

Classification Phenotypes Description


system/source identified

Tucson Childrens Transient wheeze Wheezing commences before the age of 3 years and disappear
Respiratory Study by age 6 years

Persistent wheeze Wheezing continues until up to or after age 6 years

Late-onset wheeze Wheezing starts after age 3 years.

25
Classification Phenotypes Description
system/source identified

Avon Longitudinal Transient early Wheezing mainly occurs before 18 months, then mainly
Study of Parents wheeze disappears by age 3.5 years
and Children
Not associated with hypersensitivity to airborne allergens

Prolonged early Wheezing occurs mainly between age 6 months and 4.5 years,
wheeze then mainly disappears before childs 6th birthday

Not associated with hypersensitivity to airborne allergens

Associated with a higher risk of airway hyperresponsiveness


and reduced lung function at age 89 years, compared with
never/infrequent wheeze phenotype

Intermediate-onset Wheezing begins sometime after age 18 months and before


wheeze 3.5 years.

Strongly associated with atopy (especially house mite, cat


allergen), higher risk of airway hyperresponsiveness and
reduced lung function at age 89 years, compared with
never/infrequent wheeze phenotype

Late-onset wheeze Wheezing mainly begins after age 3.5 years

Strongly associated with atopy (especially house mite, cat


allergen, grass pollen)

Persistent wheeze Wheezing mainly begins after 6 months and continues through
to primary school

Strongly associated with atopy

Notes
Terms can only be identified after the child has stopped wheezing for several years and cannot be applied to a
preschool child.

Transient wheeze, persistent wheeze and late-onset wheeze can be episodic or multiple-trigger wheeze.#
Sources
Martinez FD, Wright AL, Taussig LM et al. Asthma and wheezing in the first six years of life. The Group Health
Medical Associates. N Engl J Med 1995; 332: 133-8. Available from:
http://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJM199501193320301#t=article
Morgan WJ, Stern DA, Sherrill DL et al. Outcome of asthma and wheezing in the first 6 years of life: follow-up
through adolescence. Am J Respir Crit Care Med 2005; 172: 1253-8. Available from:
http://ajrccm.atsjournals.org/content/172/10/1253.long
Henderson J, Granell R, Heron J et al. Associations of wheezing phenotypes in the first 6 years of life with atopy, lung
function and airway responsiveness in mid-childhood. Thorax 2008; 63: 974-80. Available from:
http://thorax.bmj.com/content/63/11/974.long
# Brand PL, Baraldi E, Bisgaard H et al. Definition, assessment and treatment of wheezing disorders in preschool
children: an evidence-based approach [European Respiratory Society Task Force]. Eur Respir J 2008; 32: 1096-110.
Available from: http://erj.ersjournals.com/content/32/4/1096.full
Asset ID: 10

26
Early childhood wheezing phenotypes cannot be recognised or applied clinically, because they are recognised
retrospectively.4 In an individual child with episodic wheeze, it is not possible to accurately predict epidemiological
phenotype from clinical phenotype.4
Currently available tools for predicting whether a wheezing preschool child will have asthma at school age (e.g. the
Asthma Predictive Index7) have limited clinical value.9

Go to: National Asthma Council Australia'sAsthma and wheezing in the first years of life information paper

Cough and asthma in children


Relationship of cough to asthma in children
Misdiagnosis of nonspecific cough as asthma can result in overtreatment in children.
Cough can indicate the possibility of a serious underlying illness and warrant further assessment and investigations.3

Table. Red flags for cough in children

Wet or productive cough lasting more than 4 weeks

Obvious difficulty breathing, especially at rest or at night

Systemic symptoms: fever, failure to thrive or poor growth velocity

Feeding difficulties (including choking or vomiting)

Recurrent pneumonia

Inspiratory stridor (other than during acute tracheobronchitis)

Abnormalities on respiratory examination

Abnormal findings on chest X-ray

Clubbing of fingers

Source
Gibson PG, Chang AB, Glasgow NJ et al.,CICADA: Cough in Children and Adults: Diagnosis and Assessment. Australian
cough guidelines summary statement. Med J Aust, 2010; 192: 265-71. Available from:
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20201760
Asset ID: 13

Chronic cough (cough lasting more than 4 weeks)without other features of asthma is unlikely to be due to asthma.3

Cough is a frequent symptom in children with asthma, but may have a different mechanism from other symptoms of
asthma (e.g. wheeze, chest tightness or breathlessness). Children who have recurrent cough, but do not wheeze, are
unlikely to have asthma.12A very small minority of children with recurrent nocturnal cough, but no other asthma
symptoms, may be considered to have a diagnosis of atypical asthma.12 This diagnosis should be only made in
consultation with a paediatric respiratory physician.
In children with no abnormalities detected on physical examination, chest X-ray or spirometry, and no wheezing or
breathlessness, chronic coughis most likely:3

due to protracted bacterial bronchitis (resolves with 26 weeks treatment with antibiotics)3
post-viral (resolves with time)
due to exposure to tobacco smoke and other pollutants.3

Frequency of cough reported by parents correlates poorly with frequency measured using diary cards or by audio
recording monitors.13
0-5 years

27
Most cases of coughing in preschool children are not due to asthma:

Recurrent cough in preschool children, in the absence of other signs, is most likely due to recurrent viral bronchitis.
Cough due to viral infection is unresponsive to bronchodilators and preventerssuch as montelukast, cromones or
inhaled corticosteroids.
13
Children attending day care or preschool can have a succession of viral infections that merge into each other, giving
the false appearance of chronic cough (cough lasting more than 4 weeks).

In preschool-aged children, cough may be due to asthma when it occurs during episodes of wheezing and breathlessness
or when the child does not have a cold.
6 years and over
Chronic cough may be due to asthma if the cough is episodic and associated with other features of asthma such as
expiratory wheeze, exercise-related breathlessness, or airflow limitation objectively demonstrated by spirometry
(particularly if responsive to a bronchodilator).3

Go to:Australian Cough Guidelines

Alternative diagnoses in children


Other conditions characterised by wheezing, breathlessness or cough can be confused with asthma. These include:

protracted bacterial bronchitis3,14


habit-cough syndrome3
upper airway dysfunction.6

Table. Conditions that can be confused with asthma in children

Conditions characterised by cough

Pertussis (whooping cough)

Cystic fibrosis

Airway abnormalities (e.g. tracheomalacia, bronchomalacia)

Protracted bacterial bronchitis in young children

Habit-cough syndrome

Conditions characterised by wheezing

Upper airway dysfunction

Inhaled foreign body causing partial airway obstruction

Tracheomalacia

Conditions characterised by difficulty breathing

Hyperventilation

Anxiety

Breathlessness on exertion due to poor cardiopulmonary fitness

Source
Weinberger M, Abu-Hasan M. Pseudo-asthma: when cough, wheezing, and dyspnea are not asthma. Pediatrics 2007;
120: 855-64. Available from: http://pediatrics.aappublications.org/content/120/4/855.full

28
Asset ID: 11

Table. Findings that increase or decrease the probability of asthma in children

Asthma more likely Asthma less likely

More than one of: Any of:

wheeze symptoms only occur when child has a cold, but


difficulty breathing not between colds
feeling of tightness in the chest isolated cough in the absence of wheeze or
cough difficulty breathing
history of moist cough
dizziness, light-headedness or peripheral
AND
tingling

Any of: repeatedly normal physical examination of


chest when symptomatic
symptoms recur frequently normal spirometry when symptomatic (children
symptoms worse at night and in the early old enough to perform spirometry)
morning no response to a trial of asthma treatment
symptoms triggered by exercise, exposure to clinical features that suggest an alternative
pets, cold air, damp air, emotions, laughing diagnosis
symptoms occur when child doesnt have a cold
history of allergies (e.g. allergic rhinitis, atopic
dermatitis)
family history of allergies
family history of asthma
widespread wheeze heard on auscultation
symptoms respond to treatment trial of
reliever, with or without a preventer
lung function measured by spirometry increases
in response to rapid-acting bronchodilator
lung function measured by spirometry increases
in response to a treatment trial with inhaled
corticosteroid (where indicated)

Sources
British Thoracic Society (BTS), Scottish Intercollegiate Guidelines Network (SIGN).British Guideline on the management
of Asthma. A national clinical guideline. BTS/SIGN, Edinburgh, 2012. Availablefrom:https://www.brit-
thoracic.org.uk/guidelines-and-quality-standards/asthma-guideline
Respiratory Expert Group, Therapeutic Guidelines Limited. Therapeutic Guidelines: Respiratory, Version 4. Therapeutic
Guidelines Limited, Melbourne,2009.
Asset ID: 12

Go to: Australian Cough Guidelines

Diagnostic difficulties when investigating asthma-like symptoms in adolescents

29
Asthma is commonly misdiagnosed in young people presenting with exercise-related symptoms or cough.15 Conditions
associated with dyspnoea include hyperventilation, anxiety, and poor cardiopulmonary fitness.6

Both denial and overplay of symptoms has been observed among adolescents.15 Adolescents with new or re-emerging
asthma symptoms may deny their symptoms.15 US data suggest that risk factors for undiagnosed asthma among
adolescents include female sex, smoking (current smoking and exposure to others smoke), low socioeconomic status,
family problems, low physical activity and high body mass.16

Exercise-related symptoms in adolescents


In adolescents, exercise-related wheezing and breathlessness are poor predictors of exercise-induced
bronchoconstriction. Only a minority of adolescents referred for assessment of exercise-induced respiratory symptoms
show objective evidence of exercise-induced bronchoconstriction.1
For adolescents with exercise-related symptoms, common conditions that should be considered in the differential
diagnosis includepoor cardiopulmonary fitness, exercise-induced upper airway dysfunction and exercise-induced
hyperventilation.15,17
In addition to spirometry, other objective tests (e.g. cardiopulmonary fitness testing, bronchial provocation tests) may be
helpful to clarify the diagnosis and inform management.

See:Investigation and management of exercise-induced bronchoconstriction

References

1. British Thoracic Society (BTS), Scottish Intercollegiate Guidelines Network (SIGN). British Guideline on the
Management of Asthma. A national clinical guideline. BTS, SIGN, Edinburgh, 2012. Available from: https://www.brit-
thoracic.org.uk/guidelines-and-quality-standards/asthma-guideline/
2. Respiratory Expert Group, Therapeutic Guidelines Limited. Therapeutic Guidelines: Respiratory, Version 4. Therapeutic
Guidelines Limited, West Melbourne, 2009.
3. Gibson PG, Chang AB, Glasgow NJ, et al. CICADA: cough in children and adults: diagnosis and assessment. Australian
cough guidelines summary statement. Med J Aust. 2010; 192: 265-271. Available from:
http://www.lungfoundation.com.au/professional-resources/guidelines/cough-guidelines
4. Brand PL, Baraldi E, Bisgaard H, et al. Definition, assessment and treatment of wheezing disorders in preschool
children: an evidence-based approach. Eur Respir J. 2008; 32: 1096-1110. Available from:
http://erj.ersjournals.com/content/32/4/1096.full
5. Global Initiative for Asthma (GINA). Global strategy for the diagnosis and management of asthma in children 5 years and
younger. GINA, 2009. Available from: http://www.ginasthma.org/
6. Weinberger M, Abu-Hasan M. Pseudo-asthma: when cough, wheezing, and dyspnea are not asthma. Pediatrics. 2007;
120: 855-864. Available from: http://pediatrics.aappublications.org/content/120/4/855.full
7. Castro-Rodriguez JA. The Asthma Predictive Index: a very useful tool for predicting asthma in young children. J
Allergy Clin Immunol. 2010; 126: 212-216. Available from: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20624655
8. Schultz A, Devadason SG, Savenije OE, et al. The transient value of classifying preschool wheeze into episodic viral
wheeze and multiple trigger wheeze. Acta Paediatr. 2010; 99: 56-60. Available from:
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19764920
9. Savenije OE, Kerkhof M, Koppelman GH, Postma DS. Predicting who will have asthma at school age among preschool
children. J Allergy Clin Immunol. 2012; 130: 325-331. Available from:
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22704537
10. Martinez FD, Wright AL, Taussig LM, et al. Asthma and wheezing in the first six years of life. N Engl J Med. 1995; 332:
133-138. Available from: http://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJM199501193320301#t=article
11. Henderson J, Granell R, Heron J, et al. Associations of wheezing phenotypes in the first 6 years of life with atopy, lung
function and airway responsiveness in mid-childhood. Thorax. 2008; 63: 974-980. Available from:
http://thorax.bmj.com/content/63/11/974.long
12. van Asperen PP. Cough and asthma. Paediatr Resp Rev. 2006; 7: 26-30. Available from:
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16473813
13. Bush A. Diagnosis of asthma in children under five. Prim Care Respir J. 2007; 16: 7-15. Available from:
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17297521
14. Craven V, Everard ML. Protracted bacterial bronchitis: reinventing an old disease. Arch Dis Child. 2013; 98: 72-76.
Available from: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23175647
15. Towns SJ, van Asperen PP. Diagnosis and management of asthma in adolescents. Clin Respir J. 2009; 3: 69-76.
Available from: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20298380

30
16. Yeatts K, Davis KJ, Sotir M, et al. Who gets diagnosed with asthma? Frequent wheeze among adolescents with and
without a diagnosis of asthma. Pediatrics. 2003; 111: 1046-54. Available from:
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/12728087
17. Tilles SA. Exercise-induced respiratory symptoms: an epidemic among adolescents. Ann Allergy Asthma Immunol.
2010; 104: 361-7; 368-70, 412. Available from: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20486325

31
HOME > DIAGNOSIS > CHILDREN > PROVISIONAL DIAGNOSIS

Making a provisional diagnosis in children


Recommendations

A provisional diagnosis of asthma can be made if the child has (all of):

wheezing accompanied by breathing difficulty or cough


other features that increase the probability of asthma such as a history of allergic rhinitis, atopic dermatitis or a
strong family history of asthma and allergies
no signs or symptoms that suggest a serious alternative diagnosis
clinically importantresponse to bronchodilator demonstratedon spirometry performed before and after short-
acting beta2 agonist (if child is able to perform spirometry).

Notes
If reliable equipment and appropriately trained staff are available, spirometry can be performed in primary care. If not, refer to an
appropriate provider such as an accredited respiratory function laboratory.
Most children aged 6and older can perform spirometry reliably.
Airflow limitation is defined as reversible (i.e. bronchodilator response is clinically important) if FEV1 increases by 12%.
If spirometry does not demonstrate a clinically important response to bronchodilator, the test can be repeated when the child has
symptoms.

Table. Findings that increase or decrease the probability of asthma in children

Asthma more likely Asthma less likely

More than one of: Any of:

wheeze symptoms only occur when child has a cold, but


difficulty breathing not between colds
feeling of tightness in the chest isolated cough in the absence of wheeze or
cough difficulty breathing
history of moist cough
dizziness, light-headedness or peripheral
AND
tingling

Any of: repeatedly normal physical examination of


chest when symptomatic
symptoms recur frequently normal spirometry when symptomatic (children
symptoms worse at night and in the early old enough to perform spirometry)
morning no response to a trial of asthma treatment
symptoms triggered by exercise, exposure to clinical features that suggest an alternative
pets, cold air, damp air, emotions, laughing diagnosis
symptoms occur when child doesnt have a cold
history of allergies (e.g. allergic rhinitis, atopic
dermatitis)
family history of allergies
family history of asthma
widespread wheeze heard on auscultation

32
Asthma more likely Asthma less likely

symptoms respond to treatment trial of


reliever, with or without a preventer
lung function measured by spirometry increases
in response to rapid-acting bronchodilator
lung function measured by spirometry increases
in response to a treatment trial with inhaled
corticosteroid (where indicated)

Sources
British Thoracic Society (BTS), Scottish Intercollegiate Guidelines Network (SIGN).British Guideline on the management
of Asthma. A national clinical guideline. BTS/SIGN, Edinburgh, 2012. Availablefrom:https://www.brit-
thoracic.org.uk/guidelines-and-quality-standards/asthma-guideline
Respiratory Expert Group, Therapeutic Guidelines Limited. Therapeutic Guidelines: Respiratory, Version 4. Therapeutic
Guidelines Limited, Melbourne,2009.
Asset ID: 12

Table. Conditions that can be confused with asthma in children

Conditions characterised by cough

Pertussis (whooping cough)

Cystic fibrosis

Airway abnormalities (e.g. tracheomalacia, bronchomalacia)

Protracted bacterial bronchitis in young children

Habit-cough syndrome

Conditions characterised by wheezing

Upper airway dysfunction

Inhaled foreign body causing partial airway obstruction

Tracheomalacia

Conditions characterised by difficulty breathing

Hyperventilation

Anxiety

Breathlessness on exertion due to poor cardiopulmonary fitness

Source
Weinberger M, Abu-Hasan M. Pseudo-asthma: when cough, wheezing, and dyspnea are not asthma. Pediatrics 2007;
120: 855-64. Available from: http://pediatrics.aappublications.org/content/120/4/855.full
Asset ID: 11

Table. Findings that require investigations in children

33
Finding Notes

Persistent cough that is not associated with Unlikely to be due to asthma


wheeze/breathlessness or systemic disease

Onset of signs from birth or very early in life Suggests cystic fibrosis, chronic lung disease of
prematurity, primary ciliary dyskinesia,
bronchopulmonary dysplasia,congenital
abnormality

Family history of unusual chest disease Should be enquired about before attributing all the
signs and symptoms to asthma

Severe upper respiratory tract disease (e.g. severe Specialist assessment should be considered
rhinitis, enlarged tonsils and adenoids or nasal polyps)

Crepitations on chest auscultation that do not clear on Suggest a serious lower respiratory tract condition
coughing such as pneumonia, atelectasis, bronchiectasis

Unilateral wheeze Suggests inhaled foreign body

Systemic symptoms (e.g. fever, weight loss, failure to Suggest an alternative systemic disorder
thrive)

Feeding difficulties, including choking or vomiting Suggests aspiration specialist assessment should
be considered

Inspiratory upper airway noises (e.g. stridor, snoring) Acute stridor suggests tracheobronchitis (croup)

Persistent voice abnormality Suggests upper airway disorder

Finger clubbing Suggests cystic fibrosis, bronchiectasis

Chronic (>4 weeks) wet or productive cough Suggests cystic fibrosis, bronchiectasis, chronic
bronchitis, recurrent aspiration, immune
abnormality, ciliary dyskinesia

Focal (localised) lung signs Suggests pneumonia

Nasal polyps in child under 5 years old Suggests cystic fibrosis

Severe chest deformity Harrisons Sulcus and Pectus Carinatum can be due
to uncontrolled asthma, but severe deformity
suggests an alternative diagnosis

Obvious breathing difficulty, especially at rest or at Specialist assessment should be considered


night

Recurrent pneumonia Specialist assessment should be considered

34
Asset ID: 59

How this recommendation was developed


s
Consensus
Based on clinical experience and expert opinion (informed by evidence, where available).

Make an initial assessment of the pattern of asthma (infrequent intermittent, frequent intermittent, or persistent).

Table. Definitions of asthma patterns in children aged 05 years not taking regular preventer

Category Pattern and intensity of symptoms (when not taking regular


treatment)

Infrequent intermittent asthma Symptom-free for at least 6 weeks at a time (flare-upsup to


once every 6 weeks on average but no symptoms between
flare-ups)

Frequent intermittent asthma Flare-ups more than once every 6 weeks on average but no
symptoms between flare-ups

Persistent asthma Mild At least one of:


Daytime symptoms more than once per week but not
every day
Night-time symptoms more than twice per month but not
every week

Moderate Any of:

Daytime symptomsdaily
Night-time symptomsmore than once per week
Symptoms sometimes restrict activity or sleep

Severe Any of:

Daytime symptoms continual


Night-time symptomsfrequent
Flare-ups frequent
Symptoms frequently restrict activity or sleep

Symptoms between flare-ups.A flare-up is defined as a period of worsening asthma symptoms, from mild (e.g.
symptoms that are just outside the normal range of variation for the child, documented when well) to severe (e.g.
events that require urgent action by parents and health professionals to prevent a serious outcome such as
hospitalisation or death from asthma).
Note:Use this table when the diagnosis of asthma can be made with reasonable confidence (e.g. a child with wheezing
accompanied by persistent cough or breathing difficulty, no signs or symptoms that suggest a potentially serious

35
alternative diagnosis, and the presence ofother factors that increase the probability of asthma such as family history
of allergies or asthma).
Asset ID: 14

Table. Definitions of asthma patterns in children aged 6 years and over not taking regular preventer

Category Pattern and intensity of symptoms (when not taking regular


treatment)

Infrequent intermittent asthma Symptom-free for at least 6 weeks at a time (flare-ups up to


once every 6 weeks on average but no symptoms between
flare-ups)

Frequent intermittent asthma Flare-ups more than once every 6 weeks on average but no
symptoms between flare-ups

Persistent asthma Mild FEV1 80% predicted and at least one of:

Daytime symptoms more than once per week but not


every day
Night-time symptoms more than twice per month but not
every week

Moderate Any of:

FEV1 <80% predicted



Daytime symptoms daily
Night-time symptoms more than once per week
Symptoms sometimes restrict activity or sleep

Severe Any of:

FEV1 60% predicted

Daytime symptomscontinual
Night-time symptoms frequent
Flare-ups frequent
Symptoms frequently restrict activity or sleep

It may not be appropriate to make the diagnosis of asthma in children aged 6 or older who wheeze only during upper
respiratory tract infections. These children can be considered to have episodic (viral) wheeze.
Symptoms between flare-ups.A flare-up is defined as a period of worsening asthma symptoms, from mild (e.g.
symptoms that are just outside the normal range of variation for the child, documented when well) to severe (e.g.
events that require urgent action by parents and health professionals to prevent a serious outcome such as
hospitalisation or death from asthma).
Asset ID: 15

36
How this recommendation was developed
s
Consensus
Based on clinical experience and expert opinion (informed by evidence, where available).

More information

Spirometry in children
1
Measuring lung function in young children is difficult and requires techniques that are not widely available. Generally,
2
spirometry cannot be performed to acceptable standards in children younger than 45 years.
Some older children cannot perform spirometry either. However, children who are unable to perform spirometry
satisfactorily on their first visit are often able to perform the test correctly at the next visit.2
Spirometry is poor at discriminating between children with asthma and those with airway obstruction due to other
conditions.1

Normal spirometry in a child, especially when asymptomatic, does not exclude the diagnosis of asthma.1 FEV1 is often
normal in children with persistent asthma.1
Reduced FEV1 alone does not indicate that a child has asthma, because it may be seen with other lung diseases (or be due
to poor spirometric technique).
A significant increase in FEV1 (>12% from baseline) after administering a bronchodilator (e.g. 4 puffs of salbutamol 100
mcg/actuation)indicates thatairflow limitation is reversible and supports the diagnosis of asthma. In children with
asthma, it is also predictive of a good lung functionresponse to inhaled corticosteroids.1 However, an absent response to
bronchodilators does not exclude asthma.1

Go to:National Asthma Council AustraliasSpirometry Resources

Bronchial provocation (challenge) tests in children


Clinical assessment is more sensitive for confirming the diagnosis of asthma than tests for airway hyperresponsiveness.
The main roles of bronchial provocation (challenge) tests of airway hyperresponsiveness (airway hyperreactivity) are to
confirm or exclude asthma as the cause of current symptoms, including exercise-associated respiratory symptoms such as
dyspnoea or noisy breathing.3,4
Challenge tests are performed in accredited lung function testing laboratories. These tests are usually difficult to perform
in children under 8 years of age because they involve repeated spirometry tests.
If challenge testing is needed, consider referring to a paediatric respiratory physician for investigation, or discussing with
a paediatric respiratory physician before selecting which test to order.
Do not test during a respiratory infection, or initiate inhaled corticosteroid treatment afew weeks before challenge
testing, because these could invalidate the result.
Bronchial provocation tests of airway hyperresponsiveness include:

exercise challenge test5


mannitol challenge test6,7
8, 9
methacholine challenge test.

Roles of other lung function tests in diagnosing asthma in children


Peak expiratory flow meters in asthma diagnosis
Variability in lung function based on serial homemeasures of peak expiratory flowand FEV1 shows poor concordance
with disease activity in children.1
Using a peak flow meter to measure peak expiratory flow in children does notreliably rule the diagnosis of asthma in or
out.1
Newer tests under investigation

37
Impulse oscillometry, tests of specific airways resistance, and measurements of residual volume are being investigated for
use in asthma diagnosis and management,10, 11but their availability is mainly restricted to specialist and research centres.1

References

1. British Thoracic Society (BTS), Scottish Intercollegiate Guidelines Network (SIGN). British Guideline on the
Management of Asthma. A national clinical guideline. BTS, SIGN, Edinburgh, 2012. Available from: https://www.brit-
thoracic.org.uk/guidelines-and-quality-standards/asthma-guideline/
2. Johns DP, Pierce R. Pocket guide to spirometry. 3rd edn. McGraw Hill, North Ryde, 2011.
3. Anderson SD. Bronchial challenge tests: usefulness, availability and challenges. Breathe. 2011; 8: 53-60. Available
from: http://www.ers-education.org
4. Cockcroft DW. Direct challenge tests: airway hyperresponsiveness in asthma: its measurement and clinical
significance. Chest. 2010; 138(2 Suppl): 18S-24S. Available from:
http://journal.publications.chestnet.org/article.aspx?articleid=1086632
5. Anderson SD, Pearlman DS, Rundell KW, et al. Reproducibility of the airway response to an exercise protocol
standardized for intensity, duration, and inspired air conditions, in subjects with symptoms suggestive of asthma.
Respir Res. 2010; Sept 1: 120. Available from: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2939602/
6. Barben J, Roberts M, Chew N, et al. Repeatability of bronchial responsiveness to mannitol dry powder in children with
asthma. Pediatr Pulmonol. 2003; 36: 490-4. Available from: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/14618640
7. Kersten ET, Driessen JM, van der Berg JD, Thio BJ. Mannitol and exercise challenge tests in asthmatic children.
Pediatr Pulmonol. 2009; 44: 655-661. Available from: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19499571
8. Liem JJ, Kozyrskyj AL, Cockroft DW, Becker AB. Diagnosing asthma in children: what is the role for methacholine
bronchoprovocation testing?. Pediatr Pulmonol. 2008; 43: 481-9. Available from:
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18383334
9. Carlsten C, Dimich-Ward H, Ferguson A, et al. Airway hyperresponsiveness to methacholine in 7-year-old children:
sensitivity and specificity for pediatric allergist-diagnosed asthma. Pediatr Pulmonol. 2011; 46: 175-178. Available
from: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20963839
10. Child F. The measurement of airways resistance using the interrupter technique (Rint). Paediatr Respir Rev. 2005; 6:
273-7. Available from: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16298310
11. Oostveen E, MacLeod D, Lorino H, et al. The forced oscillation technique in clinical practice: methodology,
recommendations and future developments. Eur Respir J Supplement. 2003; 22: 1026-41. Available from:
http://erj.ersjournals.com/content/22/6/1026.long

38
HOME > DIAGNOSIS > CHILDREN > TREATMENT TRIAL

Conducting a treatment trial to confirm the diagnosis in children


In this section

05 years
Conducting a treatment trial to confirm the diagnosis in children 05 years
https://www.asthmahandbook.org.au/diagnosis/children/treatment-trial/0-5-years

6 years and over


Conducting a treatment trial to confirm the diagnosis in children 6 years and over
https://www.asthmahandbook.org.au/diagnosis/children/treatment-trial/6-years-and-over

39
HOME > DIAGNOSIS > CHILDREN > TREATMENT TRIAL > 05 YEARS

Conducting a treatment trial to confirm the diagnosis in children 0


5 years
Recommendations

For children over 12 months old with wheezing episodes that are associated with increased work of breathing (i.e.
intercostal retraction), consider a trial of treatment with an inhaled short-acting beta2 agonist given as needed over a
48-hour period:

Show parents how to give salbutamol via a mask (infants) or spacer (pre-school children).
Tell parents to give 24 puffs (200400 mcg) when child wheezes, and repeat if wheezing does not stop or recurs.
Ask parents to watch closely for whether childs breathing becomes normal (i.e. child stops showing signs of
increased work of breathing) and report effects.

How this recommendation was developed


s
Consensus
Based on clinical experience and expert opinion (informed by evidence, where available).

For children aged 612 months or less, consider a trial of treatment with as-need short-acting beta2 agonist, as for
children over 12 months. Monitor closely and assess response, because asthma is less likely to be the cause of wheezing
in this age group.

How this recommendation was developed


s
Consensus
Based on clinical experience and expert opinion (informed by evidence, where available).

For children under 6 months old, consider discussing with a paediatric respiratory physician or paediatrician before
conducting a treatment trial with an inhaled short-acting beta2 agonist.

How this recommendation was developed


s
Consensus
Based on clinical experience and expert opinion (informed by evidence, where available), with particular reference
to the following source(s):

Brand et al.20081

If increased work of breathing resolves in response to inhaled bronchodilator (either during a treatment trial at home or
observed in the clinic or hospital), this supports a provisional diagnosis of asthma.

How this recommendation was developed


s
Consensus
Based on clinical experience and expert opinion (informed by evidence, where available), with particular reference
to the following source(s):

Brand et al.20081

40
For children aged 12 months and over with a provisional diagnosis of asthma, consider a trial of preventertreatment if
(either of):

wheezing episodes are accompanied by increased work of breathing and are severe enough to interrupt eating, play,
physical activity or sleep
the child has been hospitalised due to acute wheezing and difficulty breathing.

Table. Initial preventer treatment for children aged 05 years

Age Pattern of symptoms Management options and notes *

012 months Intermittent asthma Regular preventer treatment is not recommended

or

Viral-induced wheeze

Multiple-trigger wheeze Refer for specialist assessment or obtain specialist


advice before prescribing

12 years Intermittent asthma Regular preventer treatment is not recommended

or

Viral-induced wheeze

Persistent asthma Consider a treatment trial with sodium


cromoglycate 10 mg three times dailyand review
or

response in 24 weeks
Multiple-trigger wheeze
Consider a treatment trial of low-dose inhaled
corticosteroids only if wheezing symptoms are
disrupting childs sleeping or play;review response
in 4 weeks

25 years Infrequent intermittent asthma Regular preventer treatment is not recommended

or

Viral-induced wheeze

Frequent intermittent asthma Consider regular treatment with montelukast 4 mg

or once daily and review response in 24 weeks

If symptoms do not respond, consider regular


Mild persistent asthma
treatment with a low dose of an inhaled
or
corticosteroid and review response in 4 weeks
Episodic (viral) wheeze with
frequent symptoms

or

Multiple-trigger wheeze

Moderatesevere persistent
asthma

41
Age Pattern of symptoms Management options and notes *

or Consider regular treatment with a low dose of an


inhaled corticosteroid and review response in 4
Moderatesevere multiple-
weeks
trigger wheeze

Advise parents about potential adverse psychiatric effects of montelukast

* In addition to use of rapid-onset inhaled beta2 agonist when child experiences difficulty breathing
Starting dose sodium cromoglycate 10 mg (two inhalations of 5 mg/actuation inhaler) three times daily. If good
response, reduce to 10 mg twice daily when stable.Cromone inhaler device mouthpieces require daily washing to
avoid blocking.
Asset ID: 20

How this recommendation was developed


s
Consensus
Based on clinical experience and expert opinion (informed by evidence, where available).

If wheezing accompanied by increased work of breathing is markedly reduced during a treatment trial with a preventer,
then recurs when treatment is stopped, this supports a provisional diagnosis of asthma in a preschool child.

How this recommendation was developed


s
Consensus
Based on clinical experience and expert opinion (informed by evidence, where available).

Repeat the treatment trial if the effect on symptoms is unclear.

How this recommendation was developed


s
Adapted from existing guidance
Based on reliable clinical practice guideline(s) or position statement(s):

Global Initiative for Asthma (GINA), 20092

Explain to parents that:

wheezing in the first few years of life does not mean the child will have asthma or allergies by primary school age
it is not possible to be certain that the child has asthma until he or she is old enough for objective lung function
testing (spirometry) to assess whether lung function is excessively variable(i.e. demonstrate variable airflow
limitation).

How this recommendation was developed


s
Consensus
Based on clinical experience and expert opinion (informed by evidence, where available), with particular reference
to the following source(s):

Brandet al.20081
Martinez et al.19953
Morgan et al.20054
Henderson et al.20085
Castro-Rodriguez, 20106

42
More information

Definition of wheeze
Wheeze is defined as a continuous, high-pitched sound coming from the chest during expiration.1,2It is a non-specific sign
caused by turbulent air flow due to narrowing of intrathoracic airways and indicates expiratory airflow limitation,
irrespective of the underlying mechanism1 (e.g. bronchoconstriction or secretions in the airway lumen).

Inspiratory sounds (e.g. rattling or stridor) should not be described as wheeze.7


1
Various forms of noisy breathing, including wheezing, are common among babies and preschoolers. Noisy breathing is
1
particularly common among infants under 6 months old, but only a small proportion have wheeze.

Parents and doctors sometimes use the word wheeze to mean different things,1, 7 including cough, gasp, a change in
breathing rate or style of breathing. If based on parental report alone, children may be labelled as having wheeze when
they do not have narrowed airways and expiratory flow limitation.1

There are no validated questionnaire-based instruments to identify wheeze in preschoolers,1 so wheezing is best
confirmed by listening with a stethoscope during an episode.
Reported noisy breathing that responds to bronchodilator therapy is likely to be genuine wheeze and to be caused, at
least in part, by constriction of airway smooth muscle.1

Asthma versus wheezing disorder in children 05 years


Although many individuals later diagnosed with asthma first show respiratory symptoms by the age of 5 years,1 it is
difficult to make the diagnosis of asthma with a high degree of certainty in a baby or preschool child.

Some international guidelines1 avoid using the term asthma for preschool children, because there is not enough evidence
to know whether the pathophysiology of recurrent wheezing and asthma-like symptoms in preschool children is the same
as that of asthma in older children and in adults,1 and because many young children with wheezing will not go on to
develop asthma at school age.1 The more general term wheezing disorder is sometimes used in preference to asthma for
children aged 5 years and under.1

Classification of symptom patterns in children


The pattern and severity of symptoms in a childwith asthma or wheezing disorder is a guide to initial treatment.

Table. Definitions of asthma patterns in children aged 05 years not taking regular preventer

Category Pattern and intensity of symptoms (when not taking regular


treatment)

Infrequent intermittent asthma Symptom-free for at least 6 weeks at a time (flare-upsup to


once every 6 weeks on average but no symptoms between
flare-ups)

Frequent intermittent asthma Flare-ups more than once every 6 weeks on average but no
symptoms between flare-ups

Persistent asthma Mild At least one of:


Daytime symptoms more than once per week but not
every day
Night-time symptoms more than twice per month but not
every week

43
Category Pattern and intensity of symptoms (when not taking regular
treatment)

Moderate Any of:

Daytime symptomsdaily
Night-time symptomsmore than once per week
Symptoms sometimes restrict activity or sleep

Severe Any of:

Daytime symptoms continual



Night-time symptoms frequent
Flare-ups frequent
Symptoms frequently restrict activity or sleep

Symptoms between flare-ups.A flare-up is defined as a period of worsening asthma symptoms, from mild (e.g.
symptoms that are just outside the normal range of variation for the child, documented when well) to severe (e.g.
events that require urgent action by parents and health professionals to prevent a serious outcome such as
hospitalisation or death from asthma).
Note:Use this table when the diagnosis of asthma can be made with reasonable confidence (e.g. a child with wheezing
accompanied by persistent cough or breathing difficulty, no signs or symptoms that suggest a potentially serious
alternative diagnosis, and the presence ofother factors that increase the probability of asthma such as family history
of allergies or asthma).
Asset ID: 14

Table. Definitions of asthma patterns in children aged 6 years and over not taking regular preventer

Category Pattern and intensity of symptoms (when not taking regular


treatment)

Infrequent intermittent asthma Symptom-free for at least 6 weeks at a time (flare-ups up to


once every 6 weeks on average but no symptoms between
flare-ups)

Frequent intermittent asthma Flare-ups more than once every 6 weeks on average but no
symptoms between flare-ups

Persistent asthma Mild FEV1 80% predicted and at least one of:

Daytime symptoms more than once per week but not


every day
Night-time symptoms more than twice per month but not
every week

Moderate Any of:

44
Category Pattern and intensity of symptoms (when not taking regular
treatment)

FEV1 <80% predicted

Daytime symptoms daily


Night-time symptoms more than once per week
Symptoms sometimes restrict activity or sleep

Severe Any of:

FEV1 60% predicted

Daytime symptomscontinual
Night-time symptoms frequent
Flare-ups frequent
Symptoms frequently restrict activity or sleep

It may not be appropriate to make the diagnosis of asthma in children aged 6 or older who wheeze only during upper
respiratory tract infections. These children can be considered to have episodic (viral) wheeze.
Symptoms between flare-ups.A flare-up is defined as a period of worsening asthma symptoms, from mild (e.g.
symptoms that are just outside the normal range of variation for the child, documented when well) to severe (e.g.
events that require urgent action by parents and health professionals to prevent a serious outcome such as
hospitalisation or death from asthma).
Asset ID: 15

For children already taking regular preventer treatment, adjustments to the treatment regimen are based on finding
the lowest dose of medicines that will maintain good control of symptoms.

Short-term and long-term wheezing patterns in children: 05 years


Patterns of childhood wheezing over the short term
Classifying a childs current pattern of symptoms can be useful for making immediate management decisions. The
following descriptions of wheezing patterns apply to the pattern of symptoms in children aged 05 years and are
sometimes used in clinical trials:
Episodic (viral) wheeze: episodes of wheezing (e.g. for a few days when child has a viral cold), but no wheezing between
episodes.1,2
Multiple-trigger wheeze: episodes of wheezing from time to time, with cough and wheeze between episodes when child
does not have a viral cold (e.g. when the child cries, plays or laughs).1,2
However, these patterns are not stable over time and have limited use in predicting whether or not a wheezing preschool
child will have asthma by primary school age.8,9 An individual child is likely to show a different pattern within one year.8
Patterns of childhood wheezing over the longterm
Longitudinal population-based cohort studies3,5 of preschool children with wheezing have identified various long-term
patterns (wheezing phenotypes).1

Table. Systems for retrospectively classifying the duration of childhood wheeze

45
Classification Phenotypes Description
system/source identified

Tucson Childrens Transient wheeze Wheezing commences before the age of 3 years and disappear
Respiratory Study by age 6 years

Persistent wheeze Wheezing continues until up to or after age 6 years

Late-onset wheeze Wheezing starts after age 3 years.

Avon Longitudinal Transient early Wheezing mainly occurs before 18 months, then mainly
Study of Parents wheeze disappears by age 3.5 years
and Children Not associated with hypersensitivity to airborne allergens

Prolonged early Wheezing occurs mainly between age 6 months and 4.5 years,
wheeze then mainly disappears before childs 6th birthday

Not associated with hypersensitivity to airborne allergens

Associated with a higher risk of airway hyperresponsiveness


and reduced lung function at age 89 years, compared with
never/infrequent wheeze phenotype

Intermediate-onset Wheezing begins sometime after age 18 months and before


wheeze 3.5 years.

Strongly associated with atopy (especially house mite, cat


allergen), higher risk of airway hyperresponsiveness and
reduced lung function at age 89 years, compared with
never/infrequent wheeze phenotype

Late-onset wheeze Wheezing mainly begins after age 3.5 years

Strongly associated with atopy (especially house mite, cat


allergen, grass pollen)

Persistent wheeze Wheezing mainly begins after 6 months and continues through
to primary school

Strongly associated with atopy

Notes
Terms can only be identified after the child has stopped wheezing for several years and cannot be applied to a
preschool child.

Transient wheeze, persistent wheeze and late-onset wheeze can be episodic or multiple-trigger wheeze.#
Sources
Martinez FD, Wright AL, Taussig LM et al. Asthma and wheezing in the first six years of life. The Group Health
Medical Associates. N Engl J Med 1995; 332: 133-8. Available from:
http://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJM199501193320301#t=article
Morgan WJ, Stern DA, Sherrill DL et al. Outcome of asthma and wheezing in the first 6 years of life: follow-up
through adolescence. Am J Respir Crit Care Med 2005; 172: 1253-8. Available from:
http://ajrccm.atsjournals.org/content/172/10/1253.long

46
Henderson J, Granell R, Heron J et al. Associations of wheezing phenotypes in the first 6 years of life with atopy, lung
function and airway responsiveness in mid-childhood. Thorax 2008; 63: 974-80. Available from:
http://thorax.bmj.com/content/63/11/974.long
# Brand PL, Baraldi E, Bisgaard H et al. Definition, assessment and treatment of wheezing disorders in preschool
children: an evidence-based approach [European Respiratory Society Task Force]. Eur Respir J 2008; 32: 1096-110.
Available from: http://erj.ersjournals.com/content/32/4/1096.full
Asset ID: 10

Early childhood wheezing phenotypes cannot be recognised or applied clinically, because they are recognised
retrospectively.1 In an individual child with episodic wheeze, it is not possible to accurately predict epidemiological
phenotype from clinical phenotype.1
Currently available tools for predicting whether a wheezing preschool child will have asthma at school age (e.g. the
Asthma Predictive Index6) have limited clinical value.9

Go to: National Asthma Council Australia'sAsthma and wheezing in the first years of life information paper

Significance of wheeze in children 05 years


Approximately one in three children has at least one episode of wheezing before their third birthday,1 and almost half of
all children have at least one episode of wheezing by age 6 years.1

Wheezing is the most common symptom associated with asthma in children aged 5 years and under.2Among people with
a diagnosis of asthma at any time in their life, approximately 80% will have shown signs of respiratory disease, such as
wheezing, in the first years of life.6
However, the presence of wheeze does not mean a child has asthma or will develop asthma:

wheezing in infants up to 12 months old is most commonly due to acute viral bronchiolitis or to small and/or floppy
airways
wheezing in children aged 15 years is usually associated with viral upper respiratory tract infections, which recur
frequently in this age group.1, 2Many children wheeze when they have viral respiratory infections, even if they do not
have asthma2
among preschoolers with recurrent wheezing, only approximately one in three will have asthma at age 6 years6
wheezing can also be due to many conditions other than asthma, including anatomical abnormalities of the airways,
cystic fibrosis, bronchomalacia.1

Correct use of inhaler devices


The majority of patients do not use inhaler devices correctly. Australian research studies have reported that only
approximately 10% of patients use correct technique.10,11

Highrates of incorrect inhaler use among children with asthma and adults with asthma or COPD have been reported,12,
13, 14, 15, 16
evenamong regular users.17Regardless of the type of inhaler device prescribed, patients are unlikely to use
inhalers correctly unless they receive clear instruction, including a physical demonstration,and have their inhaler
technique checked regularly.18
Poor inhaler technique has been associated with worse outcomes in asthma and COPD. It can lead to poor asthma
symptom control and overuse of relievers and preventers.12, 19, 17, 20, 21In patients with asthma or COPD, incorrect
technique is associated with a 50% increased risk of hospitalisation, increased emergency department visits and increased
use of oral corticosteroids due to flare-ups.17
Correcting patients' inhaler technique has been shown to improve asthma control, asthma-related quality of life and lung
22, 23
function.
Common errors and problems with inhaler technique
Common errors with manually actuated pressurised metered dose inhalersinclude:18

failing to shake the inhaler before actuating


holding the inhaler in wrong position
failing to exhale fully before actuating the inhaler
actuating the inhaler too early or during exhalation (the medicine may be seen escaping from the top of the inhaler)

47
actuating the inhaler too late while inhaling
actuating more than once while inhaling
inhaling too rapidly (this can be especially difficult for chilren to overcome)
multiple actuations without shaking between doses.

Common errors for dry powder inhalers include:18

not keeping the device in the correct position while loading the dose (horizontal for Accuhaler and vertical for
Turbuhaler)
failing to exhale fully before inhaling
failing to inhale completely
inhaling too slowly and weakly
exhaling into the device mouthpiece before or after inhaling
failing to close the inhaler after use
using past the expiry date or when empty.

Other common problems include:

difficulty manipulating device due to problems with dexterity (e.g. osteoarthritis, stroke, muscle weakness)
inability to seal the lips firmly around the mouthpiece of an inhaler or spacer
inability to generate adequate inspiratory flow for the inhaler type
failure to use a spacer when appropriate
use of incorrect size mask
inappropriate use of a mask with a spacer in older children.

How to improve patients inhaler technique


Patients inhaler technique can be improved by brief education, including a physical demonstration,from a health
professional or other person trained in correct technique.18 The best way to train patients to use their inhalers correctly is
one-to-one training by a healthcare professional (e.g. nurse, pharmacist, GP, specialist), that involves both verbal
instruction and physical demonstration.24, 12, 25, 26Patients do not learn to use their inhalers properly just by reading the
manufacturer's leaflet.25 An effective method is to assess the individual's technique by comparing with a checklist specific
to the type of inhaler, and then, after training in correct technique, to provide written instructions about errors (e.g. a
sticker attached to the device).10, 23
The National Asthma Council information paper on inhaler technique includes checklists for correct technique with all
common inhaler types used in asthma or COPD.
Inhaler technique must be rechecked and training must be repeated regularly to help children and adults maintain correct
technique.22, 12, 13

Go to: National Asthma Council Australia'sUsing your inhalerwebpagefor information, patient resources and videos
on inhaler technique
Go to: National Asthma Council Australia's information paper for health professionals onInhaler technique for people
with asthma or COPD
Go to: NPSMedicineWise information onInhaler devices for respiratory medicines

References

1. Brand PL, Baraldi E, Bisgaard H, et al. Definition, assessment and treatment of wheezing disorders in preschool
children: an evidence-based approach. Eur Respir J. 2008; 32: 1096-1110. Available from:
http://erj.ersjournals.com/content/32/4/1096.full
2. Global Initiative for Asthma (GINA). Global strategy for the diagnosis and management of asthma in children 5 years and
younger. GINA, 2009. Available from: http://www.ginasthma.org/
3. Martinez FD, Wright AL, Taussig LM, et al. Asthma and wheezing in the first six years of life. N Engl J Med. 1995; 332:
133-138. Available from: http://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJM199501193320301#t=article
4. Morgan WJ, Stern DA, Sherrill DL, et al. Outcome of asthma and wheezing in the first 6 years of life: follow-up
through adolescence. Am J Respir Crit Care Med. 2005; 172: 1253-8. Available from:
http://ajrccm.atsjournals.org/content/172/10/1253.long
5. Henderson J, Granell R, Heron J, et al. Associations of wheezing phenotypes in the first 6 years of life with atopy, lung
function and airway responsiveness in mid-childhood. Thorax. 2008; 63: 974-980. Available from:
http://thorax.bmj.com/content/63/11/974.long
6. Castro-Rodriguez JA. The Asthma Predictive Index: a very useful tool for predicting asthma in young children. J
Allergy Clin Immunol. 2010; 126: 212-216. Available from: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20624655

48
7. Weinberger M, Abu-Hasan M. Pseudo-asthma: when cough, wheezing, and dyspnea are not asthma. Pediatrics. 2007;
120: 855-864. Available from: http://pediatrics.aappublications.org/content/120/4/855.full
8. Schultz A, Devadason SG, Savenije OE, et al. The transient value of classifying preschool wheeze into episodic viral
wheeze and multiple trigger wheeze. Acta Paediatr. 2010; 99: 56-60. Available from:
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19764920
9. Savenije OE, Kerkhof M, Koppelman GH, Postma DS. Predicting who will have asthma at school age among preschool
children. J Allergy Clin Immunol. 2012; 130: 325-331. Available from:
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22704537
10. Basheti IA, Armour CL, Bosnic-Anticevich SZ, Reddel HK. Evaluation of a novel educational strategy, including
inhaler-based reminder labels, to improve asthma inhaler technique. Patient Educ Couns. 2008; 72: 26-33. Available
from: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18314294
11. Bosnic-Anticevich, S. Z., Sinha, H., So, S., Reddel, H. K.. Metered-dose inhaler technique: the effect of two educational
interventions delivered in community pharmacy over time. The Journal of asthma : official journal of the Association for
the Care of Asthma. 2010; 47: 251-6. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20394511
12. Price, D., Bosnic-Anticevich, S., Briggs, A., et al. Inhaler competence in asthma: common errors, barriers to use and
recommended solutions. Respiratory medicine. 2013; 107: 37-46. Available from:
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23098685
13. Capanoglu, M., Dibek Misirlioglu, E., Toyran, M., et al. Evaluation of inhaler technique, adherence to therapy and their
effect on disease control among children with asthma using metered dose or dry powder inhalers. The Journal of
asthma : official journal of the Association for the Care of Asthma. 2015; 52: 838-45. Available from:
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20394511
14. Lavorini, F., Magnan, A., Dubus, J. C., et al. Effect of incorrect use of dry powder inhalers on management of patients
with asthma and COPD. Respiratory medicine. 2008; 102: 593-604. Available from:
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18083019
15. Federman, A. D., Wolf, M. S., Sofianou, A., et al. Self-management behaviors in older adults with asthma: associations
with health literacy. Journal of the American Geriatrics Society. 2014; 62: 872-9. Available from:
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24779482
16. Crane, M. A., Jenkins, C. R., Goeman, D. P., Douglass, J. A.. Inhaler device technique can be improved in older adults
through tailored education: findings from a randomised controlled trial. NPJ primary care respiratory medicine. 2014;
24: 14034. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/25188403
17. Melani AS, Bonavia M, Cilenti V, et al. Inhaler mishandling remains common in real life and is associated with reduced
disease control. Respir Med. 2011; 105: 930-8. Available from: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21367593
18. National Asthma Council Australia. Inhaler technique for people with asthma or COPD. National Asthma Council
Australia, Melbourne, 2016. Available from: https://www.nationalasthma.org.au/living-with-
asthma/resources/health-professionals/information-paper/hp-inhaler-technique-for-people-with-asthma-or-copd
19. Bjermer, L.. The importance of continuity in inhaler device choice for asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary
disease. Respiration; international review of thoracic diseases. 2014; 88: 346-52. Available from:
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/25195762
20. Haughney, J., Price, D., Barnes, N. C., et al. Choosing inhaler devices for people with asthma: current knowledge and
outstanding research needs. Respiratory medicine. 2010; 104: 1237-45. Available from:
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20472415
21. Giraud, V., Roche, N.. Misuse of corticosteroid metered-dose inhaler is associated with decreased asthma stability.
The European respiratory journal. 2002; 19: 246-51. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/11866004
22. Basheti IA, Reddel HK, Armour CL, Bosnic-Anticevich SZ. Improved asthma outcomes with a simple inhaler technique
intervention by community pharmacists. J Allergy Clin Immunol. 2007; 119: 1537-8. Available from:
http://www.jacionline.org/article/S0091-6749(07)00439-3/fulltext
23. Giraud, V., Allaert, F. A., Roche, N.. Inhaler technique and asthma: feasability and acceptability of training by
pharmacists. Respiratory medicine. 2011; 105: 1815-22. Available from:
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21802271
24. Basheti, I. A., Reddel, H. K., Armour, C. L., Bosnic-Anticevich, S. Z.. Counseling about turbuhaler technique: needs
assessment and effective strategies for community pharmacists. Respiratory care. 2005; 50: 617-23. Available from:
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15871755
25. Lavorini, F.. Inhaled drug delivery in the hands of the patient. Journal of aerosol medicine and pulmonary drug delivery.
2014; 27: 414-8. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/25238005
26. Newman, S.. Improving inhaler technique, adherence to therapy and the precision of dosing: major challenges for
pulmonary drug delivery. Expert opinion on drug delivery. 2014; 11: 365-78. Available from:
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24386924

49
HOME > DIAGNOSIS > CHILDREN > TREATMENT TRIAL > 6 YEARS AND OVER

Conducting a treatment trial to confirm the diagnosis in children 6


years and over
Recommendations

Trial treatment according to pattern of symptoms.

Table. Initial preventer treatment for children aged 6 years and over

Pattern of symptoms* Management options and notes

Infrequent intermittent asthma Regular preventer treatment is not recommended

Frequent intermittent asthma Consider a treatment trial with montelukast 5mg once daily; assess
response after 24weeks

A cromone (sodium cromoglycate or nedocromil) can be trialled as


an alternative

Mild persistent asthma Consider a treatment trial with montelukast 5mg once daily; assess
response after 24weeks

If inadequate response after checking adherence, consider


treatment trial with inhaled corticosteroid (low dose)

A cromone (sodium cromoglycate or nedocromil) can be trialled as


an alternative

Moderate-to-severe persistent Consider a treatment trial with regular inhaled corticosteroid (low
asthma dose); assess response after 4weeks.

Advise parents about potential adverse psychiatric effects of montelukast

* Pattern of symptoms when not taking regular preventer treatment


In addition to use of rapid-onset inhaled beta2 agonist when child experiences difficulty breathing
Also applies to children who wheeze only during upper respiratory tract infections and do not have a diagnosis of
asthma
E.g. sodium cromoglycate 5mg/actuation; 10mg (two inhalations) three times daily, then 10mg twice daily when
stable. Note: Cromone inhaler device mouthpieces require daily washing to avoid blocking
Asset ID: 16

Table. Definitions of ICS dose levels in children

Inhaled corticosteroid Daily dose (mcg)

Low High

50
Inhaled corticosteroid Daily dose (mcg)

Low High

Beclometasone dipropionate 100200 >200 (up to 400)

Budesonide 200400 >400 (up to 800)

Ciclesonide 80160 >160 (up to 320)

Fluticasone propionate 100200 >200 (up to 500)

Dose equivalents for Qvar (TGA-registeredCFC-free formulation of beclometasone dipropionate)


Ciclesonide is registered by the TGA for use in children aged 6 and over
Source
van Asperen PP, Mellis CM, Sly PD, Robertson C.The role of corticosteroids in the management of childhood asthma. The
Thoracic Society of Australia and New Zealand, 2010. Available from:
http://www.thoracic.org.au/clinical-documents/area?command=record&id=14
Asset ID: 21

How this recommendation was developed


s
Consensus
Based on clinical experience and expert opinion (informed by evidence, where available).

If cough does not respond to a treatment trial with a preventer, cease treatment instead of increasing the dose.

How this recommendation was developed


s
Consensus
Based on clinical experience and expert opinion (informed by evidence, where available).

Repeat the treatment trial if the effect on symptoms is unclear.

How this recommendation was developed


s
Consensus
Based on clinical experience and expert opinion (informed by evidence, where available).

More information

Cough and asthma in children


Relationship of cough to asthma in children
Misdiagnosis of nonspecific cough as asthma can result in overtreatment in children.
Cough can indicate the possibility of a serious underlying illness and warrant further assessment and investigations.1

Table. Red flags for cough in children

Wet or productive cough lasting more than 4 weeks

Obvious difficulty breathing, especially at rest or at night

51
Systemic symptoms: fever, failure to thrive or poor growth velocity

Feeding difficulties (including choking or vomiting)

Recurrent pneumonia

Inspiratory stridor (other than during acute tracheobronchitis)

Abnormalities on respiratory examination

Abnormal findings on chest X-ray

Clubbing of fingers

Source
Gibson PG, Chang AB, Glasgow NJ et al.,CICADA: Cough in Children and Adults: Diagnosis and Assessment. Australian
cough guidelines summary statement. Med J Aust, 2010; 192: 265-71. Available from:
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20201760
Asset ID: 13

Chronic cough (cough lasting more than 4 weeks)without other features of asthma is unlikely to be due to asthma.1

Cough is a frequent symptom in children with asthma, but may have a different mechanism from other symptoms of
asthma (e.g. wheeze, chest tightness or breathlessness). Children who have recurrent cough, but do not wheeze, are
unlikely to have asthma.2A very small minority of children with recurrent nocturnal cough, but no other asthma
symptoms, may be considered to have a diagnosis of atypical asthma.2 This diagnosis should be only made in consultation
with a paediatric respiratory physician.
In children with no abnormalities detected on physical examination, chest X-ray or spirometry, and no wheezing or
breathlessness, chronic coughis most likely:1

due to protracted bacterial bronchitis (resolves with 26 weeks treatment with antibiotics)1
post-viral (resolves with time)
due to exposure to tobacco smoke and other pollutants.1

Frequency of cough reported by parents correlates poorly with frequency measured using diary cards or by audio
recording monitors.3
0-5 years
Most cases of coughing in preschool children are not due to asthma:

Recurrent cough in preschool children, in the absence of other signs, is most likely due to recurrent viral bronchitis.
Cough due to viral infection is unresponsive to bronchodilators and preventerssuch as montelukast, cromones or
inhaled corticosteroids.
Children attending day care or preschool can have a succession of viral infections that merge into each other,3giving
the false appearance of chronic cough (cough lasting more than 4 weeks).

In preschool-aged children, cough may be due to asthma when it occurs during episodes of wheezing and breathlessness
or when the child does not have a cold.
6 years and over
Chronic cough may be due to asthma if the cough is episodic and associated with other features of asthma such as
expiratory wheeze, exercise-related breathlessness, or airflow limitation objectively demonstrated by spirometry
(particularly if responsive to a bronchodilator).1

Go to:Australian Cough Guidelines

Classification of symptom patterns in children


The pattern and severity of symptoms in a childwith asthma or wheezing disorder is a guide to initial treatment.

52
Table. Definitions of asthma patterns in children aged 05 years not taking regular preventer

Category Pattern and intensity of symptoms (when not taking regular


treatment)

Infrequent intermittent asthma Symptom-free for at least 6 weeks at a time (flare-upsup to


once every 6 weeks on average but no symptoms between
flare-ups)

Frequent intermittent asthma Flare-ups more than once every 6 weeks on average but no
symptoms between flare-ups

Persistent asthma Mild At least one of:

Daytime symptoms more than once per week but not


every day
Night-time symptoms more than twice per month but not
every week

Moderate Any of:

Daytime symptomsdaily

Night-time symptoms more than once per week
Symptoms sometimes restrict activity or sleep

Severe Any of:


Daytime symptoms continual
Night-time symptomsfrequent
Flare-ups frequent
Symptoms frequently restrict activity or sleep

Symptoms between flare-ups.A flare-up is defined as a period of worsening asthma symptoms, from mild (e.g.
symptoms that are just outside the normal range of variation for the child, documented when well) to severe (e.g.
events that require urgent action by parents and health professionals to prevent a serious outcome such as
hospitalisation or death from asthma).
Note:Use this table when the diagnosis of asthma can be made with reasonable confidence (e.g. a child with wheezing
accompanied by persistent cough or breathing difficulty, no signs or symptoms that suggest a potentially serious
alternative diagnosis, and the presence ofother factors that increase the probability of asthma such as family history
of allergies or asthma).
Asset ID: 14

Table. Definitions of asthma patterns in children aged 6 years and over not taking regular preventer

Category Pattern and intensity of symptoms (when not taking regular


treatment)

53
Category Pattern and intensity of symptoms (when not taking regular
treatment)

Infrequent intermittent asthma Symptom-free for at least 6 weeks at a time (flare-ups up to


once every 6 weeks on average but no symptoms between
flare-ups)

Frequent intermittent asthma Flare-ups more than once every 6 weeks on average but no
symptoms between flare-ups

Persistent asthma Mild FEV1 80% predicted and at least one of:

Daytime symptoms more than once per week but not


every day
Night-time symptoms more than twice per month but not
every week

Moderate Any of:

FEV1 <80% predicted

Daytime symptoms daily


Night-time symptoms more than once per week
Symptoms sometimes restrict activity or sleep

Severe Any of:

FEV1 60% predicted



Daytime symptoms continual
Night-time symptoms frequent
Flare-ups frequent
Symptoms frequently restrict activity or sleep

It may not be appropriate to make the diagnosis of asthma in children aged 6 or older who wheeze only during upper
respiratory tract infections. These children can be considered to have episodic (viral) wheeze.
Symptoms between flare-ups.A flare-up is defined as a period of worsening asthma symptoms, from mild (e.g.
symptoms that are just outside the normal range of variation for the child, documented when well) to severe (e.g.
events that require urgent action by parents and health professionals to prevent a serious outcome such as
hospitalisation or death from asthma).
Asset ID: 15

For children already taking regular preventer treatment, adjustments to the treatment regimen are based on finding
the lowest dose of medicines that will maintain good control of symptoms.

Correct use of inhaler devices

54
The majority of patients do not use inhaler devices correctly. Australian research studies have reported that only
approximately 10% of patients use correct technique.4,5

Highrates of incorrect inhaler use among children with asthma and adults with asthma or COPD have been reported,6, 7, 8,
9, 10
evenamong regular users.11Regardless of the type of inhaler device prescribed, patients are unlikely to use inhalers
correctly unless they receive clear instruction, including a physical demonstration,and have their inhaler technique
checked regularly.12
Poor inhaler technique has been associated with worse outcomes in asthma and COPD. It can lead to poor asthma
symptom control and overuse of relievers and preventers.6, 13, 11, 14, 15In patients with asthma or COPD, incorrect
technique is associated with a 50% increased risk of hospitalisation, increased emergency department visits and increased
use of oral corticosteroids due to flare-ups.11
Correcting patients' inhaler technique has been shown to improve asthma control, asthma-related quality of life and lung
function.16, 17
Common errors and problems with inhaler technique
Common errors with manually actuated pressurised metered dose inhalersinclude:12

failing to shake the inhaler before actuating


holding the inhaler in wrong position
failing to exhale fully before actuating the inhaler
actuating the inhaler too early or during exhalation (the medicine may be seen escaping from the top of the inhaler)
actuating the inhaler too late while inhaling
actuating more than once while inhaling
inhaling too rapidly (this can be especially difficult for chilren to overcome)
multiple actuations without shaking between doses.

12
Common errors for dry powder inhalers include:

not keeping the device in the correct position while loading the dose (horizontal for Accuhaler and vertical for
Turbuhaler)
failing to exhale fully before inhaling
failing to inhale completely
inhaling too slowly and weakly
exhaling into the device mouthpiece before or after inhaling
failing to close the inhaler after use
using past the expiry date or when empty.

Other common problems include:

difficulty manipulating device due to problems with dexterity (e.g. osteoarthritis, stroke, muscle weakness)
inability to seal the lips firmly around the mouthpiece of an inhaler or spacer
inability to generate adequate inspiratory flow for the inhaler type
failure to use a spacer when appropriate
use of incorrect size mask
inappropriate use of a mask with a spacer in older children.

How to improve patients inhaler technique


Patients inhaler technique can be improved by brief education, including a physical demonstration,from a health
professional or other person trained in correct technique.12 The best way to train patients to use their inhalers correctly is
one-to-one training by a healthcare professional (e.g. nurse, pharmacist, GP, specialist), that involves both verbal
instruction and physical demonstration.18, 6, 19, 20Patients do not learn to use their inhalers properly just by reading the
manufacturer's leaflet.19 An effective method is to assess the individual's technique by comparing with a checklist specific
to the type of inhaler, and then, after training in correct technique, to provide written instructions about errors (e.g. a
sticker attached to the device).4, 17
The National Asthma Council information paper on inhaler technique includes checklists for correct technique with all
common inhaler types used in asthma or COPD.
Inhaler technique must be rechecked and training must be repeated regularly to help children and adults maintain correct
technique.16, 6, 7

Go to: National Asthma Council Australia'sUsing your inhalerwebpagefor information, patient resources and videos
on inhaler technique

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Go to: National Asthma Council Australia's information paper for health professionals onInhaler technique for people
with asthma or COPD
Go to: NPSMedicineWise information onInhaler devices for respiratory medicines

References

1. Gibson PG, Chang AB, Glasgow NJ, et al. CICADA: cough in children and adults: diagnosis and assessment. Australian
cough guidelines summary statement. Med J Aust. 2010; 192: 265-271. Available from:
http://www.lungfoundation.com.au/professional-resources/guidelines/cough-guidelines
2. van Asperen PP. Cough and asthma. Paediatr Resp Rev. 2006; 7: 26-30. Available from:
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16473813
3. Bush A. Diagnosis of asthma in children under five. Prim Care Respir J. 2007; 16: 7-15. Available from:
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17297521
4. Basheti IA, Armour CL, Bosnic-Anticevich SZ, Reddel HK. Evaluation of a novel educational strategy, including
inhaler-based reminder labels, to improve asthma inhaler technique. Patient Educ Couns. 2008; 72: 26-33. Available
from: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18314294
5. Bosnic-Anticevich, S. Z., Sinha, H., So, S., Reddel, H. K.. Metered-dose inhaler technique: the effect of two educational
interventions delivered in community pharmacy over time. The Journal of asthma : official journal of the Association for
the Care of Asthma. 2010; 47: 251-6. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20394511
6. Price, D., Bosnic-Anticevich, S., Briggs, A., et al. Inhaler competence in asthma: common errors, barriers to use and
recommended solutions. Respiratory medicine. 2013; 107: 37-46. Available from:
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23098685
7. Capanoglu, M., Dibek Misirlioglu, E., Toyran, M., et al. Evaluation of inhaler technique, adherence to therapy and their
effect on disease control among children with asthma using metered dose or dry powder inhalers. The Journal of
asthma : official journal of the Association for the Care of Asthma. 2015; 52: 838-45. Available from:
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20394511
8. Lavorini, F., Magnan, A., Dubus, J. C., et al. Effect of incorrect use of dry powder inhalers on management of patients
with asthma and COPD. Respiratory medicine. 2008; 102: 593-604. Available from:
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18083019
9. Federman, A. D., Wolf, M. S., Sofianou, A., et al. Self-management behaviors in older adults with asthma: associations
with health literacy. Journal of the American Geriatrics Society. 2014; 62: 872-9. Available from:
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24779482
10. Crane, M. A., Jenkins, C. R., Goeman, D. P., Douglass, J. A.. Inhaler device technique can be improved in older adults
through tailored education: findings from a randomised controlled trial. NPJ primary care respiratory medicine. 2014;
24: 14034. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/25188403
11. Melani AS, Bonavia M, Cilenti V, et al. Inhaler mishandling remains common in real life and is associated with reduced
disease control. Respir Med. 2011; 105: 930-8. Available from: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21367593
12. National Asthma Council Australia. Inhaler technique for people with asthma or COPD. National Asthma Council
Australia, Melbourne, 2016. Available from: https://www.nationalasthma.org.au/living-with-
asthma/resources/health-professionals/information-paper/hp-inhaler-technique-for-people-with-asthma-or-copd
13. Bjermer, L.. The importance of continuity in inhaler device choice for asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary
disease. Respiration; international review of thoracic diseases. 2014; 88: 346-52. Available from:
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/25195762
14. Haughney, J., Price, D., Barnes, N. C., et al. Choosing inhaler devices for people with asthma: current knowledge and
outstanding research needs. Respiratory medicine. 2010; 104: 1237-45. Available from:
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20472415
15. Giraud, V., Roche, N.. Misuse of corticosteroid metered-dose inhaler is associated with decreased asthma stability.
The European respiratory journal. 2002; 19: 246-51. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/11866004
16. Basheti IA, Reddel HK, Armour CL, Bosnic-Anticevich SZ. Improved asthma outcomes with a simple inhaler technique
intervention by community pharmacists. J Allergy Clin Immunol. 2007; 119: 1537-8. Available from:
http://www.jacionline.org/article/S0091-6749(07)00439-3/fulltext
17. Giraud, V., Allaert, F. A., Roche, N.. Inhaler technique and asthma: feasability and acceptability of training by
pharmacists. Respiratory medicine. 2011; 105: 1815-22. Available from:
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21802271
18. Basheti, I. A., Reddel, H. K., Armour, C. L., Bosnic-Anticevich, S. Z.. Counseling about turbuhaler technique: needs
assessment and effective strategies for community pharmacists. Respiratory care. 2005; 50: 617-23. Available from:
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15871755
19. Lavorini, F.. Inhaled drug delivery in the hands of the patient. Journal of aerosol medicine and pulmonary drug delivery.
2014; 27: 414-8. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/25238005
20. Newman, S.. Improving inhaler technique, adherence to therapy and the precision of dosing: major challenges for
pulmonary drug delivery. Expert opinion on drug delivery. 2014; 11: 365-78. Available from:
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24386924

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HOME > DIAGNOSIS > CHILDREN > FURTHER INVESTIGATIONS

Considering further investigations in children


Recommendations

Consider allergy tests for children with recurrent wheezing when the results might guide you in (either of):

assessing the prognosis (e.g. in preschool children, the presence of allergies increases the probability that the child
will have asthma at primary school age)
managing symptoms (e.g. advising parents about management if avoidable allergic triggers are identified).

Note: Allergy tests are not mandatory in the diagnostic investigation of asthma in children.

How this recommendation was developed


s
Consensus
Based on clinical experience and expert opinion (informed by evidence, where available).

If the diagnosis is uncertain, consider arranging bronchial provocation (challenge) testing or cardiopulmonary exercise
testing to exclude asthma.

How this recommendation was developed


s
Consensus
Based on clinical experience and expert opinion (informed by evidence, where available).

Arrange chest X-ray if the child has unusual respiratory symptoms or if wheezing is localised. Routine chest X-ray is not
otherwise recommended in the investigation of asthma symptoms in children.

How this recommendation was developed


s
Consensus
Based on clinical experience and expert opinion (informed by evidence, where available).

Measurement of exhaled nitric oxide is not recommended as a diagnostic test for asthma in routine clinical practice.

How this recommendation was developed


s
Consensus
Based on clinical experience and expert opinion (informed by evidence, where available), with particular reference
to the following source(s):

Brand et al.20081
Dweiket al. 20112

Routine microbiological investigations are not recommended in the investigation of symptoms that suggest asthma in
preschool children.

How this recommendation was developed


s
Consensus
Based on clinical experience and expert opinion (informed by evidence, where available), with particular reference
to the following source(s):

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Brand et al.20081

Offer referral to a specialist for further assessment and investigation if the diagnosis is unclear or if a serious condition
cannot be ruled out.

How this recommendation was developed


s
Consensus
Based on clinical experience and expert opinion (informed by evidence, where available).

More information

Relationship of allergies to asthma


A history of other atopic conditions (e.g. eczema and rhinitis) increases the probability of asthma in wheezing children.3
A family history of asthma or allergies in a first-degree relative is a risk factor for atopy and asthma in
children.3,4 Maternal atopy is most strongly associated with childhood onset of asthma and for recurrent wheezing that
persists throughout childhood.3

See: Allergies and asthma

Allergy tests in children


Skin-prick testing
Allergy tests have a very limited role in the clinical investigation of asthma. They may be useful to guide management if
the child is sensitised to aeroallergens that are avoidable (e.g. advise parents against getting a cat if skin-prick testing has
shown that the child is sensitised to cat allergens, or advise parents that there is no need to remove a family pet if the child
is not sensitised).
Skin-prick testing is the recommended test for allergies in children.
Risk factors for anaphylaxis during skin prick testing are thought to include asthma (particularly uncontrolled or unstable
asthma), age less than 6 months, and widespread atopic dermatitis in children.5As a precaution, the Australasian Society
of Clinical Immunology and Allergy (ASCIA) advises that skin prick testing should be performed only in specialist practices
for children under 2 years and children with severe or unstable asthma.5ASCIAs manual on skin prick testing lists other
risk factors.5

Go to: Australasian Society of Clinical Immunology and Allergy Skin Prick Testing Working Party'sSkin prick testing for
the diagnosis of allergic disease. A manual for practitioners

Total serum IgE testing


In children aged 05 years, total serum immunoglobulin E measurement is a poor predictor of allergies or asthma.1
Specific serum IgE testing
Among children aged 14 years attending primary care, those with raised specific IgE for inhaled allergens (e.g. house dust
mite, cat dander) are two-to-three times more likely to have asthma at age 6 than non-sensitised children.1 Sensitisation
to hens egg at the age of 1 year (specific IgE) is a strong predictor of allergic sensitisation to inhaled allergens at age 3
years.1

See: Allergies and asthma

Bronchial provocation (challenge) tests in children


Clinical assessment is more sensitive for confirming the diagnosis of asthma than tests for airway hyperresponsiveness.
The main roles of bronchial provocation (challenge) tests of airway hyperresponsiveness (airway hyperreactivity) are to
confirm or exclude asthma as the cause of current symptoms, including exercise-associated respiratory symptoms such as
dyspnoea or noisy breathing.6,7

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Challenge tests are performed in accredited lung function testing laboratories. These tests are usually difficult to perform
in children under 8 years of age because they involve repeated spirometry tests.
If challenge testing is needed, consider referring to a paediatric respiratory physician for investigation, or discussing with
a paediatric respiratory physician before selecting which test to order.
Do not test during a respiratory infection, or initiate inhaled corticosteroid treatment afew weeks before challenge
testing, because these could invalidate the result.
Bronchial provocation tests of airway hyperresponsiveness include:

exercise challenge test8


mannitol challenge test9,10
methacholine challenge test.11, 12

Roles of other lung function tests in diagnosing asthma in children


Peak expiratory flow meters in asthma diagnosis
Variability in lung function based on serial homemeasures of peak expiratory flowand FEV1 shows poor concordance
with disease activity in children.3
Using a peak flow meter to measure peak expiratory flow in children does notreliably rule the diagnosis of asthma in or
out.3
Newer tests under investigation
Impulse oscillometry, tests of specific airways resistance, and measurements of residual volume are being investigated for
use in asthma diagnosis and management,13, 14but their availability is mainly restricted to specialist and research centres.3

Cardiopulmonary exercise challenge test


Cardiopulmonary exercise (stress) testing may be appropriate to assess cardiopulmonary fitness and identify respiratory
or cardiac limitation of exercise in children presenting with exercise associated respiratory symptoms such as dyspnoea
or noisy breathing.

Further investigations in children: 05 years


In preschool children, further investigations (other than allergy tests) are not necessary and are generally not helpful.1

Investigations in a preschool child may be justified in any of the following circumstances:1

symptoms are present from birth


airway obstruction is abnormally severe
recovery is very slow or incomplete (resulting in prolonged or repeated hospital admission in the first few years of life)
episodes continue in the absence of a viral infection
when parents are very anxious.

Further investigations in children


Microbiological investigation
Microbiological investigations are not routinely recommended in children because the result does not alter management
decisions, even though respiratory viruses can be identified.1
However, it may be useful to identify the virus in atypical cases (e.g. children with severe viral infections or Mycoplasma
infections).
Chest X-ray and other imaging technologies
Chest X-ray should be ordered when a childs symptoms and signs suggest an alternative diagnosis that can be identified
or ruled out by X-ray.

A chest X-ray will neither establish nor rule out a diagnosis of asthma.1
Exhaled nitric oxide testing

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The exhaled nitric oxide test is not currently available as a standard clinical test and is mainly a research tool at present.
Exhaled nitric oxide can be measured in unsedated children from the age of 34 years.3Standardised reference values are
available for children aged 4 years and older.1

Specialised investigations in children


Induced sputum
The sputum test for airway inflammation is not used in clinical practice.
Higher sputum eosinophil counts are associated with more marked airways obstruction and reversibility, greater asthma
severity and atopy. In children with newly diagnosed mild asthma, sputum eosinophilia is present and declines with
inhaled steroid treatment.3

The use of induced sputum test in the investigation of wheezing syndromes in preschool children has not been studied.1
Sputum induction is feasible in most school-aged children, but it is technically demanding and time consuming, and at
present remains a research tool.3
White cell count
Blood eosinophilia in children aged 05 is a poor predictor of later asthma when used alone.

In children aged over 5 years, the presence of eosinophilia ( 4%) increases the probability that wheeze is due to asthma.3

Blood eosinophil testing is a component of the Asthma Predictive Index.15 However, this test is not routinely
recommended because the Asthma Predictive Index has only limited clinical value in predicting whether a wheezing
preschool child will have asthma at school age.1, 16
Invasive tests
Airway wall biopsy and bronchoalveolar lavage are invasive investigations. These should only be used in unusual cases,
and must be performed in specialised centres.1

References

1. Brand PL, Baraldi E, Bisgaard H, et al. Definition, assessment and treatment of wheezing disorders in preschool
children: an evidence-based approach. Eur Respir J. 2008; 32: 1096-1110. Available from:
http://erj.ersjournals.com/content/32/4/1096.full
2. Dweik RA, Boggs PB, Erzurum SC, et al. An Official ATS Clinical Practice Guideline: Interpretation of Exhaled Nitric
Oxide Levels (FeNO) for Clinical Applications. Am J Respir Crit Care Med. 2011; 184: 602-615. Available from:
http://ajrccm.atsjournals.org/content/184/5/602.long
3. British Thoracic Society (BTS), Scottish Intercollegiate Guidelines Network (SIGN). British Guideline on the
Management of Asthma. A national clinical guideline. BTS, SIGN, Edinburgh, 2012. Available from: https://www.brit-
thoracic.org.uk/guidelines-and-quality-standards/asthma-guideline/
4. Global Initiative for Asthma (GINA). Global strategy for the diagnosis and management of asthma in children 5 years and
younger. GINA, 2009. Available from: http://www.ginasthma.org/
5. Australasian Society of Clinical Immunology and Allergy (ASCIA), Skin Prick Testing Working Party. Skin prick testing
for the diagnosis of allergic disease: A manual for practitioners. ASCIA, Sydney, 2013. Available from:
http://www.allergy.org.au/health-professionals/papers/skin-prick-testing
6. Anderson SD. Bronchial challenge tests: usefulness, availability and challenges. Breathe. 2011; 8: 53-60. Available
from: http://www.ers-education.org
7. Cockcroft DW. Direct challenge tests: airway hyperresponsiveness in asthma: its measurement and clinical
significance. Chest. 2010; 138(2 Suppl): 18S-24S. Available from:
http://journal.publications.chestnet.org/article.aspx?articleid=1086632
8. Anderson SD, Pearlman DS, Rundell KW, et al. Reproducibility of the airway response to an exercise protocol
standardized for intensity, duration, and inspired air conditions, in subjects with symptoms suggestive of asthma.
Respir Res. 2010; Sept 1: 120. Available from: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2939602/
9. Barben J, Roberts M, Chew N, et al. Repeatability of bronchial responsiveness to mannitol dry powder in children with
asthma. Pediatr Pulmonol. 2003; 36: 490-4. Available from: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/14618640
10. Kersten ET, Driessen JM, van der Berg JD, Thio BJ. Mannitol and exercise challenge tests in asthmatic children.
Pediatr Pulmonol. 2009; 44: 655-661. Available from: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19499571
11. Liem JJ, Kozyrskyj AL, Cockroft DW, Becker AB. Diagnosing asthma in children: what is the role for methacholine
bronchoprovocation testing?. Pediatr Pulmonol. 2008; 43: 481-9. Available from:
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18383334

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12. Carlsten C, Dimich-Ward H, Ferguson A, et al. Airway hyperresponsiveness to methacholine in 7-year-old children:
sensitivity and specificity for pediatric allergist-diagnosed asthma. Pediatr Pulmonol. 2011; 46: 175-178. Available
from: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20963839
13. Child F. The measurement of airways resistance using the interrupter technique (Rint). Paediatr Respir Rev. 2005; 6:
273-7. Available from: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16298310
14. Oostveen E, MacLeod D, Lorino H, et al. The forced oscillation technique in clinical practice: methodology,
recommendations and future developments. Eur Respir J Supplement. 2003; 22: 1026-41. Available from:
http://erj.ersjournals.com/content/22/6/1026.long
15. Castro-Rodriguez JA. The Asthma Predictive Index: a very useful tool for predicting asthma in young children. J
Allergy Clin Immunol. 2010; 126: 212-216. Available from: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20624655
16. Savenije OE, Kerkhof M, Koppelman GH, Postma DS. Predicting who will have asthma at school age among preschool
children. J Allergy Clin Immunol. 2012; 130: 325-331. Available from:
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22704537

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