Pediatric Asthma
Asthma is the most common chronic childhood illness and can significantly impact quality of life with missed school days, difficulty with physical activity, and exacerbations resulting in emergency department visits or hospitalizations. Typical symptoms include recurrent cough, wheeze, chest tightness, and shortness of breath unless adequately treated. Management strategies parallel those of adults, however means of evaluating alternative diagnoses are important in a young population.