Question
Can children also have asthma? Could there be a misdiagnosis? What causes pediatric asthma, and is it the same as adult asthma?
Answer
Recurrent episodes of pediatric asthma are due to the child’s own immune response, which leads to chronic inflammation of the airways due to the release of large amounts of inflammatory mediators and inflammatory cells. Alternatively, the airways may exhibit hypersensitivity, leading to asthma recurrence. Asthmatic patients need to undergo detailed lung function tests; if there are abnormalities in lung function, it can be diagnosed as asthma. Generally, asthma cannot be cured completely, and active use of anti-asthma medications is required for treatment. Long-term use of disease-modifying medications is necessary, along with symptomatic medications as needed, and consistent treatment should be maintained. The treatment methods for pediatric asthma are the same as those for adult asthma.