Epidemiology: Almost 10% of children in the UK have asthma

PC

Asthma commonly presents in children with symptoms of:

• Cough
• Breathlessness
• Wheeze
• Chest tightness

There will be a history of recurrent episodes of symptoms and symptom variability, which may be triggered by dust, smoke, exercise or animal hair.

Examination: widespread wheeze will be heard on auscultation of the chest during an acute episode.

Differential diagnosis:

• Respiratory tract infections
• viral wheeze
• foreign body inhalation
• bronchiolitis
• allergic reactions
• anaphylaxis

Investigations