Pharmaceutical treatment strategies for childhood asthma.
OBJECTIVE
Although great improvement has been obtained in quality of life and mastering of illness by asthmatic children over recent decades, controversies still exist related to asthma treatment. The objective of the present article is to discuss such controversies.


RESULTS
Results from recent publications related to childhood asthma treatment question existing dogmas. Important for prescribing correct treatment to children is correct diagnosis. Phenotypes of childhood asthma related to treatment decisions are discussed. Early use of inhaled steroids in young children is still debated as well as the preference of inhaled long-acting beta2-agonists versus leukotriene receptor antagonists as add on to inhaled steroids. When present, both allergic rhinitis and asthma should be treated to obtain improved control. Also as regards the treatment of exercise-induced asthma in children, new results concerning use of leukotriene receptor antagonists is discussed as well as the acute treatment in infants with bronchial obstruction.


CONCLUSIONS
There are still several controversies regarding treatment of the asthmatic child. New studies designed specifically for children are needed to solve these questions. One cannot rely on studies performed in adults for treatment in children. New studies designed for childhood asthma are needed to solve these controversies.
Carlsen
Kai-Håkon
KH
Voksentoppen Department of Paediatrics, Rikshospitalet, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway. k.h.carlsen@medisin.uio.no
Carlsen
Karin C L
KC
D000280:Administration, Inhalation; D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000318:Adrenergic beta-Agonists / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000367:Age Factors; D017668:Age of Onset; D018927:Anti-Asthmatic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001249:Asthma / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology; D016535:Bronchial Hyperreactivity / Q000188:drug therapy; D001993:Bronchodilator Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D002985:Clinical Protocols; D042241:Early Diagnosis; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D020024:Leukotriene Antagonists / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D010349:Patient Compliance; D010353:Patient Education as Topic; D011788:Quality of Life
D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones; D000318:Adrenergic beta-Agonists; D018927:Anti-Asthmatic Agents; D001993:Bronchodilator Agents; D020024:Leukotriene Antagonists