Pediatric asthma
Symptoms
- Difficulty breathing
- Fast (rapid) breathing
- Shortness of breath, even at rest
- Tightness in the chest
- Cough
Note: A persistent night-time cough is one common sign of asthma, even in children without other symptoms.
Emergency symptoms:
- Difficulty breathing
- Bluish color to the lips and face
- Severe anxiety due to shortness of breath
- Rapid pulse
- Sweating
- Decreased level of alertness, such as severe drowsiness or confusion
Signs and tests
The doctor will use a stethoscope to listen to the lungs. Asthma-related sounds may be heard. However, lung sounds are usually normal between asthma episodes.
Tests may include:
- Lung function tests
- Peak flow measurements
- Chest x-ray
- Allergy skin or blood tests
- Arterial blood gas
- Eosinophil count (a type of white blood cell)
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