Diagnosis and Early Manifestations in Pediatric Asthma: What Do We Know?

The study aimed to identify clinical criteria for early diagnosis of pediatric asthma and involved a retrospective cohort analysis of 35 children aged 5 to 12 years. It found that 85.7% had a close family member with allergies, and 60% had a family history of asthma. The study noted a slight male predominance, but cough without wheezing was more common in females. The most reported symptoms were dry cough (91.4%), worsening at night (96.8%), physical exertion (84.3%), respiratory discomfort (82.8%), and wheezing (85.7%). Triggers included dust, mold, cigarette smoke, perfume (94.2%), and climate change (88%). Improvement was noted with inhaled fenoterol (65.7%) and salbutamol (71.4%). The average age of diagnosis was 2 years, with no gender difference. Antihistamines were used in 80% of cases, and continuous use of ß₂ agonists without inhaled corticosteroids was observed. The study concluded that recurrent dry cough, wheezing, and respiratory discomfort were key diagnostic symptoms, and highlighted the need for updated educational measures for healthcare professionals and patients, as well as larger future studies.