Treatment of asthma in children.

Children present a special problem, as the morbidity from asthma is high. Deaths occasionally occur. Evaluation of frequency and severity is mandatory in designing therapy. Adequate theophylline dosage is an effective bronchodilator. Nebulized salbutamol is a great advantage in moderate and moderately severe asthma because of its speed, ease of administration and effectiveness. Intravenous salbutamol is a considerable advance in the treatment of severe asthma. The use of nebulized Intal makes this drug available to the younger child for prophylaxis. Effective prophylactic long term management must include an environmental evaluation including detection of allergens and, if possible their removal, and the evaluation of physical pulmonary trigger factors and attention to emotional physical health.