Recent advances in the understanding of childhood asthma

Abstract

The worldwide increase in diagnosed cases of asthma in the last 15 years, in spite of the better understanding of the pathogenesis of the disease and the availability of more potent bronchodilators and anti-inflammatory agents, has been the concern of clinicians worldwide. For pediatricians, it is most disturbing to learn that asthma is the most common chronic disease in childhood. In addition, asthma hospitalization rates are highest among children, and death rates from asthma are among the highest irrespective of ethnic background in U.S.. This article will review recent advances in the link between respiratory syncytial virus and asthma and discuss modified national guidelines for the diagnosis and management of asthma pertinent to care for childhood asthma, as well as current thought on allergen immunotherapy in children with asthma. A brief perspective is added on the future trend of asthma research. It is hoped that these issues will provide incentives for further efforts in childhood asthma research.