[The asthmatic child]. / L'enfant asthmatique.

ABSTRACT

Asthma is the most frequent chronic pediatric disease. Management is based on assessment of severity and should normalize lifestyle as well as pulmonary function. Mild asthma is treated with intermittent beta-2-agonists. Moderate asthma should receive non-steroids prophylactic anti-inflammatory drugs. Immunotherapy should be considered. Severe asthma requires inhaled steroids. At each stage inhaled medications should be preferred. Therefore inhalation delivery system must be adapted for children of different ages and degree of dyspnea. The importance of environment control is well recognized. Establishing a partnership with the child and its family and with the medical staff and with the child's school is always necessary.