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Patient education: Asthma symptoms and diagnosis in

children (Beyond the Basics)
Authors: Gregory Sawicki, MD, MPH, Kenan Haver, MD
Section Editor: Robert A Wood, MD
Deputy Editor: Elizabeth TePas, MD, MS

All topics are updated as new evidence becomes available and our peer review process is complete.

Literature review current through: May 2022. | This topic last updated: Dec 01, 2021.

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ASTHMA OVERVIEW

Asthma is a chronic condition with symptoms that may include cough, wheezing, chest tightness or
pain, and/or difficulty breathing. These symptoms occur periodically, usually related to specific
triggering events. The small airways of people with asthma narrow during these episodes; the
narrowing is partially or completely reversible with asthma treatments. In addition, the airways in
patients with asthma react to a variety of stimuli, which may include viral illnesses (eg, the common
cold), exercise, inhalant or food allergens to which the patient is allergic, or environmental conditions.

Asthma is the most common chronic disease in children in resource-abundant countries, affecting
approximately 8 to 12 percent of children who are less than 18 years of age. It is more common in
males than females under the age of 15 years. The highest asthma prevalence is found in the United
States, the United Kingdom, and Australia. The increasing prevalence previously reported in resource-
abundant countries appears to have plateaued or even declined. In resource-limited countries,
asthma prevalence is generally increasing, and both severity and mortality are higher than in
resource-abundant countries.

This topic review discusses the risk factors, symptoms, and diagnosis of asthma in children. Other
topics about asthma in children are available separately. (See "Patient education: Asthma treatment in
children (Beyond the Basics)" and "Patient education: How to use a peak flow meter (Beyond the
Basics)" and "Patient education: Asthma inhaler techniques in children (Beyond the Basics)" and
"Patient education: Trigger avoidance in asthma (Beyond the Basics)".)

Discussions of asthma and asthma treatments in adults are also available. (See "Patient education:
Asthma treatment in adolescents and adults (Beyond the Basics)" and "Patient education: How to use
a peak flow meter (Beyond the Basics)" and "Patient education: Inhaler techniques in adults (Beyond
the Basics)" and "Patient education: Trigger avoidance in asthma (Beyond the Basics)" and "Patient
education: Asthma and pregnancy (Beyond the Basics)".)

ASTHMA RISK FACTORS

Asthma occurs when the small airways (bronchi) in the lungs become inflamed and narrowed, which
limits the flow of air out of the lungs ( figure 1 and figure 2). This narrowing is almost always
completely reversible with treatment in children. Many different genetic, infectious, and
environmental factors may increase the risk of developing asthma (see "Risk factors for asthma"), a
few of which include:

● Viral infections – Children who have wheezing with respiratory syncytial virus or rhinovirus seem
to be at increased risk for developing asthma.

● Pollution – Exposure to indoor and outdoor pollution may increase the risk of developing
asthma.

● Exposure to tobacco smoke – Exposure to tobacco smoke during pregnancy and throughout
childhood increases the risk of developing asthma.

● Family history – Children with a personal or family history of certain medical problems, such as
asthma, allergies, or eczema, are at increased risk of developing asthma.

● Stress – Severely negative life events in children increase the risk of asthma attacks over the
subsequent few weeks.

However, not all children with asthma have identifiable risk factors. In other words, even children who
live in unpolluted areas and whose parents do not smoke or have asthma can develop asthma. It is
not clear if there are ways to reduce a child's risk of developing asthma.

ASTHMA SYMPTOMS

Coughing and wheezing — Symptoms of asthma in children include coughing and wheezing. The
cough is usually dry and hacking and is often most noticeable while the child sleeps and during early
morning hours. It may also be triggered by exercise or cold air exposure. Wheezing is a high-pitched,
musical sound that is usually heard when the child breathes out. It can generally only be heard with a
stethoscope.

Coughing and wheezing tend to come and go during the day or night, depending upon the degree of
airway narrowing in the lungs. Breathlessness, chest tightness or pressure, and chest pain may also
occur. In addition to coughing or wheezing, a child may report that his or her chest or stomach hurts.

Asthma symptoms often develop in children before five years of age, although it is sometimes
difficult to diagnose asthma in infants and toddlers. Up to a third of children under three years of age
will cough and wheeze with colds, but many of them will not go on to have asthma. Thus, the
diagnosis is usually established when the patient continues to have recurrent episodes after turning
three years of age. Documentation of reversible obstruction, most often seen during an acute
episode, helps to establish the diagnosis. (See "Evaluation of wheezing in infants and children" and
"Role of viruses in wheezing and asthma: An overview" and "Wheezing phenotypes and prediction of
asthma in young children".)

Asthma triggers — Wheezing and coughing may occur at any time, but certain triggers are known to
worsen asthma in many children.

Environmental conditions — Cold air, changes in barometric pressure, rain, or wind may cause
increased asthma symptoms in certain people. Pollution, including exhaust fumes and particulate
matter, may also induce symptoms.

Upper respiratory infections — Viral upper respiratory infections (head and chest colds) are the
most common trigger of asthma in infants and young children. The most common viral infections
include rhinovirus (the virus that causes most colds), respiratory syncytial virus, and influenza virus.
(See "Patient education: The common cold in children (Beyond the Basics)" and "Patient education:
Bronchiolitis and RSV in infants and children (Beyond the Basics)".)

Children with asthma should use their asthma treatments for cough and chest congestion rather
than over-the-counter cold remedies, which are not effective therapies for asthma.

Exercise — Narrowing of the airways can be triggered by exercise. This is called exercise-induced

asthma (also called exercise-induced bronchoconstriction or EIB). Breathlessness, wheeze, and/or
cough usually occur within 10 minutes of the cool-down period after vigorous exercise but may occur
during exercise. These symptoms tend to disappear after 20 to 45 minutes. Certain types of exercise
(eg, swimming) are less likely to cause exercise-induced asthma than others (eg, running, skating),
probably because they produce less airway cooling and drying. Short bursts of activity tend to be
better tolerated than prolonged exercise. When appropriately treated, children with asthma can
participate in sports at any level of competition. (See "Patient education: Exercise-induced asthma
(Beyond the Basics)".)

Allergens and irritants — Indoor and outdoor allergens are an important trigger of childhood
asthma, particularly for children older than three years of age. In children with seasonal allergies,
asthma symptoms may worsen during certain pollen seasons. Symptoms can also flare as a result of
mold exposure (eg, during rainy seasons or in damp areas). Indoor pollutants can act as irritants and
also trigger asthma symptoms. Irritants and allergens include:

● House dust (ie, dust mites, cockroaches, mice droppings), particularly during vacuuming

● Animal exposures; cats and dogs are especially provocative, but other furry animals (gerbils,
rabbits, hamsters, etc) may be suspect, particularly if symptoms only occur in settings where
these animals reside

● Pollens (the pollen season and types of pollen vary depending upon the region and climate)

● Molds
 ● Indoor pollutants (eg, paint, perfume, cleaning products, space heaters, gas stoves, room
deodorizers)

● Smoke (tobacco from cigarettes or vaping, wood-burning stoves)

If allergies are a possible cause of symptoms, skin or blood testing may be recommended. This can
help to both identify triggers and determine the necessity of avoiding these triggers at home.

Symptom patterns — Children with chronic asthma may have one of several distinct patterns of
symptoms, and the asthma pattern may change over time:

● Intermittent asthma attacks with no symptoms between attacks

● Chronic symptoms with intermittent worsening

● Attacks that become more severe or frequent over time

● Morning "dipping," when symptoms worsen in the morning and improve as the day progresses

● Symptoms that begin during upper respiratory tract infections (eg, colds) and linger for several
weeks after, with resolution during warmer weather when respiratory infections are typically
less common

Most asthma episodes/exacerbations develop slowly over a period of several days. Uncommonly, a
severe attack can occur suddenly, even in someone with intermittent asthma, and with minimal
warning.

ASTHMA DIAGNOSIS

The diagnosis of asthma in children requires a careful review of a child's current and past medical
history, family history, and a physical examination. Specialized testing is sometimes needed to
diagnose asthma and to rule out other possible causes of symptoms. Many children with asthma
appear and sound completely normal between episodes/exacerbations.

Spirometry testing — Spirometry measures the flow and volume of air blown out after a child takes
a very deep breath and then forcefully exhales. If airflow obstruction is present, the test may be
repeated after the child uses an asthma inhaler or nebulizer (bronchodilator) to confirm that the
obstruction is reversible (a feature of asthma).

Children younger than six years sometimes have a hard time following the instructions to perform
spirometry. Testing of younger children and infants is described below. (See 'Testing for young
children' below.)

Challenge testing — A bronchial challenge test may be recommended to diagnose asthma. This
testing is designed to cause the airways to narrow in children with asthma. The most common
challenge tests include inhaling an agent (eg, methacholine) that causes bronchoconstriction,
exercise by running on a treadmill or using an exercise cycle, or breathing cold air. Testing is done in a
specialized asthma testing center that is capable of providing emergency asthma care if needed. (See
"Bronchoprovocation testing".)

Additional testing — Other tests may be recommended to ensure that another condition is not the
cause of a child's coughing or wheezing. This may include a chest X-ray, sweat chloride test (for cystic
fibrosis), endoscopy of the upper gastrointestinal tract (for gastroesophageal reflux that fails to
respond to treatment), modified barium swallow (for aspiration), or skin or blood testing (for
allergies or immune problems). (See "Evaluation of wheezing in infants and children" and "Cystic
fibrosis: Clinical manifestations and diagnosis" and "Clinical manifestations and diagnosis of
gastroesophageal reflux disease in children and adolescents" and "Gastroesophageal reflux in
infants" and "Aspiration due to swallowing dysfunction in children" and "Overview of skin testing for
allergic disease" and "Overview of in vitro allergy tests".)

Testing for young children — Infants and children younger than six years are usually not able to
reliably perform spirometry or peak expiratory flow rate testing. In some cases, a health care
provider may recommend a trial of asthma medication to confirm the diagnosis.

ASTHMA IN ADULTHOOD

Many parents wonder if their child will "outgrow" their asthma over time. Some children do
experience complete remission, but many continue to have asthma that can be controlled with
appropriate medications.

ASTHMA TREATMENT

The treatment of asthma in children is discussed in a separate topic review. (See "Patient education:
Asthma treatment in children (Beyond the Basics)".)

WHERE TO GET MORE INFORMATION

Your child's health care provider is the best source of information for questions and concerns related
to your child's medical problem.

This article will be updated as needed on our website (www.uptodate.com/patients). Related topics
for patients, as well as selected articles written for health care professionals, are also available. Some
of the most relevant are listed below.

Patient level information — UpToDate offers two types of patient education materials.

The Basics — The Basics patient education pieces answer the four or five key questions a patient
might have about a given condition. These articles are best for patients who want a general overview
and who prefer short, easy-to-read materials.
Patient education: Asthma in children (The Basics)
Patient education: Cough in children (The Basics)
Patient education: Secondhand smoke: Risks to children (The Basics)
Patient education: Bronchiectasis in children (The Basics)

Beyond the Basics — Beyond the Basics patient education pieces are longer, more sophisticated,
and more detailed. These articles are best for patients who want in-depth information and are
comfortable with some medical jargon.

Patient education: Asthma treatment in children (Beyond the Basics)

Patient education: How to use a peak flow meter (Beyond the Basics)
Patient education: Asthma inhaler techniques in children (Beyond the Basics)
Patient education: Trigger avoidance in asthma (Beyond the Basics)
Patient education: Asthma treatment in adolescents and adults (Beyond the Basics)
Patient education: Inhaler techniques in adults (Beyond the Basics)
Patient education: Asthma and pregnancy (Beyond the Basics)
Patient education: The common cold in children (Beyond the Basics)
Patient education: Bronchiolitis and RSV in infants and children (Beyond the Basics)
Patient education: Exercise-induced asthma (Beyond the Basics)

Professional level information — Professional level articles are designed to keep doctors and other
health professionals up-to-date on the latest medical findings. These articles are thorough, long, and
complex, and they contain multiple references to the research on which they are based. Professional
level articles are best for people who are comfortable with a lot of medical terminology and who want
to read the same materials their doctors are reading.

Acute asthma exacerbations in children younger than 12 years: Inpatient management

Acute asthma exacerbations in children younger than 12 years: Emergency department management
Acute severe asthma exacerbations in children younger than 12 years: Intensive care unit
management
An overview of asthma management
Evaluation of wheezing in infants and children
Asthma in children younger than 12 years: Management of persistent asthma with controller
therapies
Asthma in children younger than 12 years: Initial evaluation and diagnosis
Asthma in children younger than 12 years: Quick-relief (rescue) treatment for acute symptoms
Exercise-induced bronchoconstriction
Natural history of asthma
Risk factors for asthma
The impact of breastfeeding on the development of allergic disease

The following organizations also provide reliable health information.

● National Library of Medicine

 (www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/healthtopics.html)

● National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute

(www.nhlbi.nih.gov/)

● American Lung Association

(www.lungusa.org)

● American Academy of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology

(www.aaaai.org/patients.stm)

● American College of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology

(https://acaai.org/news/allergists-the-doctors-you-didnt-know-could-help-you-with-your-
asthma/)

● Allergy and Asthma Network/Mothers of Asthmatics, Inc.

(www.aanma.org/)

● Global Initiative for Asthma

(https://ginasthma.org/)

[1-5]

REFERENCES

1. Bisgaard H, Szefler S. Prevalence of asthma-like symptoms in young children. Pediatr Pulmonol

2007; 42:723.

2. Gruchalla RS, Pongracic J, Plaut M, et al. Inner City Asthma Study: relationships among sensitivity,
allergen exposure, and asthma morbidity. J Allergy Clin Immunol 2005; 115:478.

3. Porsbjerg C, von Linstow ML, Ulrik CS, et al. Risk factors for onset of asthma: a 12-year
prospective follow-up study. Chest 2006; 129:309.
4. Sears MR, Greene JM, Willan AR, et al. A longitudinal, population-based, cohort study of childhood
asthma followed to adulthood. N Engl J Med 2003; 349:1414.

5. McFadden ER Jr. Natural history of chronic asthma and its long-term effects on pulmonary
function. J Allergy Clin Immunol 2000; 105:S535.

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Topic 1222 Version 19.0

Contributor Disclosures
Gregory Sawicki, MD, MPH Consultant/Advisory Boards: Vertex [Cystic fibrosis]; Gilead [Cystic fibrosis]. All of the
relevant financial relationships listed have been mitigated. Kenan Haver, MD No relevant financial relationship(s)
with ineligible companies to disclose. Robert A Wood, MD Grant/Research/Clinical Trial Support: Aimmune [Food
allergy];Astellas [Food allergy];DBV Technologies [Food allergy];HAL-Allergy [Food allergy];NIAID [Food
allergy];Novartis[Food allergy];Regeneron [Food allergy];Sanofi [Food allergy]. Consultant/Advisory Boards:
Aravax[Food allergy]. All of the relevant financial relationships listed have been mitigated. Elizabeth TePas, MD,
MS No relevant financial relationship(s) with ineligible companies to disclose.

Contributor disclosures are reviewed for conflicts of interest by the editorial group. When found, these are
addressed by vetting through a multi-level review process, and through requirements for references to be
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