[Asthma in infants: clinical aspects].
The diagnosis of asthma in infants is primarily clinical. It is based on the recurrence of episodes of bronchial obstruction that may vary in severity and in their manifestations. In its typical form, asthma in infants differs little from that observed in older children and combines attacks of dyspnoea with coughing and wheezing without intercritical clinical disorders. Serious forms are characterized by more frequent attacks, impairment of the patient's general state, and reduced efficacy of treatment. In some infants, manifestations may differ from the usual clinical picture with predominant coughing attacks or chronic recurrent episodes of bronchial obstruction. Relating these non-specific clinical signs to asthma requires a detailed history-taking, thorough physical examination, and routine investigations. In all cases, establishing the diagnosis of asthma in young children warrants the use of specific treatment both during attacks and as means of preventing their occurrence.
Unité de réanimation et des maladies respiratoires de l'enfant, Hôtel-Dieu, 63000 Clermont-Ferrand, France. alabbe@chu-clermontferrand.fr
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Labbé
D000402:Airway Obstruction; D001249:Asthma / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000473:pathology; D003371:Cough / Q000209:etiology; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D004417:Dyspnea / Q000209:etiology; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D012008:Recurrence; D012135:Respiratory Sounds / Q000209:etiology*