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Overview
Signs & Symptoms of Asthma in PediactricsMany people wonder about the signs & symptoms of asthma in pediatrics. Asthma in children does not always present in the same manner as it does in adults. Because young children (typically under age six) have a difficult time participating in the testing used to diagnose asthma in adults, recognizing the signs & symptoms of asthma in pediatrics is crucial to diagnosing asthma in children.
Coughing
Unlike adults, who are more likely to wheeze during an asthma attack, coughing is the most common sign and symptom of asthma in pediatrics. Any child who has been coughing persistently for more than two weeks should see a doctor to be screened for asthma. An asthma diagnosis is even more likely if the child is repeatedly awakening from coughing during the night. Coughing might be the only sign of a child's asthma.
Physical Symptoms
Because young children cannot articulate what they are feeling, parents or doctors need to look for physical signs & symptoms to determine if the child has asthma. One sign to look for is more pronounced ribs, which happens when the child is having to suck in very hard to get enough air. Another sign is rapid, shallow breathing, which happens because the child is unable to take deep breaths to get enough oxygen.
Symptoms After Exercise
Some children with asthma have exercise-induced asthma, which means that they exhibit signs and symptoms of asthma after running around or being physical. Symptoms to look for include coughing, wheezing, a whistling sound, shortness of breath, or "feeling funny" in the chest after getting exercise. These symptoms can also occur after other events that cause the child to feel out of breath, such as after crying or laughing hard.
Reactions to Weather Changes
Signs of pediatric asthma can occur when the child experiences an extreme change in temperature, such as walking outside into very hot or very cold weather. If a child suddenly begins coughing, wheezing, or having trouble catching his breath whenever he experiences a change in temperature, he should see a doctor about possible asthma.
Recurring Respiratory Infections
Because asthma in pediatrics causes the children's lungs to have restricted airflow, children with asthma are more susceptible to recurring respiratory illnesses, especially bronchitis and pneumonia. If a child is struggling with repeated respiratory illnesses, a doctor should screen the child for asthma to make sure that asthma is not the culprit.
