Asthma affects children between the ages of 5 and 12 but can start at infancy. Estimates differ, but between 10 percent and 20 percent of children below the age of 18 are believed to be asthmatic.
The disease is hard to diagnose in infancy. Generally the only symptoms are a persistent cough at night that may subside during the day. Alternatively, the cough may be intermittent throughout the 24 hours. Wheezing is also common with infants, but this does not necessarily point towards asthma. Usually wheezing is the result of a viral respiratory infection to which infants are particularly vulnerable. Another possible symptom might be difficult and rapid breathing. The baby should be closely observed to see if the symptoms follow any pattern.
The disease is more likely to develop in a baby with a family history of asthma and allergies.
It is a chronic lung disease that makes the airways swell up, tighten and produce an excess of mucus. As it is difficult to diagnose in an infant, many doctors prefer to err on the right side and treat a persistent respiratory condition as asthma. This is to preclude damage to the lungs that might result from uncontrolled and persistent asthma. The early use of anti-inflammatory medication generally prevents this.
Here are two simple tips to identify and treat infant asthma:
1. If a cough persists even after the cold subsides, suspect asthma. Observe the symptoms to see if there is a pattern when the cough is at its peak and whether there is any indication of heavy or labored breathing.
2. Follow the medication prescribed by the health care provider. Also ensure the infant is protected from dust, noxious odors, cigarette smoke, pets and anything else that might act as an irritant and trigger an asthmatic attack.
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