Acute asthma exacerbations in children

Asthma exacerbations present with acute or sub-acute onset of wheeze and respiratory distress, the symptoms and signs of which vary depending on the developmental and maturational age of the child. Triggers include viral or bacterial infection, inhaled allergens, environmental irritants, emotion, medications, and poor adherence with preventive therapy. Paul D. Robinson, Respiratory and Sleep Physician, The Children's Hospital at Westmead and Associate Professor, Discipline of Paediatrics and Child Health, University of Sydney, gives a clinical overview of acute asthma exacerbations in children. For more on acute asthma exacerbations in children, visit BMJ Best Practice: bestpractice.bmj.com/topics/en-gb/1098 -

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