Severe Asthma in Children: A Complex Condition Under Scrutiny
Severe asthma represents a significant challenge in the field of pediatric pulmonology and is addressed with great attention by the Italian Society for Pediatric Respiratory Diseases (SIMRI), which has dedicated a specific section on its website (www.simri.it) to this complex pediatric condition. The SIMRI section on severe asthma is a key resource for physicians, researchers, patients, and families, as it offers detailed information, scientific updates, and guidelines for managing this disease.
Definition and Impact of Severe Asthma on Children’s Health
Asthma is a very common chronic respiratory disease that affects the airways, namely the bronchi, which are the anatomical structures that carry air to the lungs. Children with asthma typically have inflamed bronchi. Asthma presents with persistent symptoms such as:
Coughing
Wheezing and shortness of breath
Chest tightness
Asthma symptoms may be recurrent, but sometimes they do not appear for weeks or even months. Nevertheless, asthma requires daily care and treatment in order to reduce the risk of acute attacks.
Why Do Children Suffer from Asthma?
Asthma often begins in childhood. Identifying the exact cause of asthma is difficult. However, we know that certain children are more susceptible to developing the condition if they:
Have a family history of asthma, atopic dermatitis, or allergies
Suffer from atopic dermatitis or allergies themselves
Had bronchiolitis as infants, a common respiratory infection in early childhood
Were born prematurely and/or with low birth weight
In addition, a low-quality lifestyle, poor diet, and lack of cleanliness or hygiene in living environments may contribute to the increasing number of children affected by asthma compared to the past.
Smoking during pregnancy and exposing children to passive smoke during their early years are also known to increase the risk of developing asthma.
Symptoms of Asthma in Children: What Triggers Them?
Due to the nature of the disease, the airways of a child with asthma are highly sensitive. Since the bronchi are inflamed, they can overreact to various stimuli, which may further irritate and inflame the airways. A trigger is any stimulus that provokes asthma symptoms by irritating the airways. Several asthma triggers are known—these include:
Animal dander
High pollen levels
Air pollution
Dust mites
Excessive stress
Respiratory infections
Recognizing these triggers is essential in finding ways to avoid them. In any case, the best way to deal with asthma triggers is to always take the prescribed therapy, even in the absence of acute symptoms.
