Wheezing and asthma in early childhood: an update.

Although asthma is the most common chronic disease in children, recent studies show that labeling this condition "asthma," especially in association with chronic wheezing, remains a matter of dispute. Nonetheless, data confirm that wheezing and asthma place great burdens on the caregivers of affected children. A principal source of information on diagnosis and treatment is the practical guide published by the National Asthma Education Prevention Program. The implications for nurses in the management of young children whose wheezing is chronic or who have been diagnosed as having asthma include a need for knowing the program guide's recommendations, assessing the child's family history, teaching primary caregivers an action plan, providing consistent asthma education, encouraging parents to evaluate the child's environment, and identifying related resources.