Asthma: diagnosis and management in the very young child
Mellis, C.M.
Australian Family Physician 21(8): 1101; 1105 1108-1111
1992
ISSN/ISBN: 0300-8495 PMID: 1530490 Document Number: 388794
Most wheezy infants do not have a significant medical problem, and most will outgrow the condition in early childhood. A small proportion, however, have troublesome asthma and suffer significant morbidity (such as severe episodes of breathlessness and persistent distressing cough, and are often admitted to hospital). These infants should be offered appropriate asthma medications by inhalation (Table 4) to which most will respond. Although many currently use home nebulisers, alternative inhalation devices (especially the MDI/spacer/face mask) should be encouraged. A few wheezy infants will have a major underlying congenital malformation. Ruling out this group of conditions is essential before embarking on any asthma drug therapy.