Abstract
Asthma is the most common chronic childhood disease in industrialized countries. It is more prevalent in children with a family history of atopy.
Symptoms and exacerbation are frequently provoked by viral infections, indoor and outdoor allergens, exercise, tobacco smoke and poor air quality. Many infants experience recurrent episodes of wheezing and cough, beginning at a few months of age, mainly during a lower respiratory tract infection.
Since a clinical diagnosis of asthma usually can be made with certainty by the age 5, the early diagnosis, monitoring and treatment of respiratory symptoms are essential.