Abstract
New guidelines published by the Global Initiative for Asthma in November 2006 emphasize the importance of childhood asthma. Pae diatric asthma is now understood as a process that determines the long-ter m prognosis of asthma into adulthood.
The importance of early diagnosis and early introduction of effective treatment is now generally accepted. New guidelines point out difficult diagnosis in infancy an d early childhood and also provide some recommendations for the clinical diagnostic approach and use of a thorough analysis of the history.
In th e therapy the importance of inhaled therapy has been empha sized for patients of any ag e and inhaled corticosteroids have been confirmed as ma in preventative treatment. The long-term management should aim for a good control; ho wever, it is also necessary to review the need of treatmen t regularly and consider stepping down.