Making a diagnosis of asthma in
children 5 years and below
Criterion 1
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- Recurrent acute wheezing episodes* OR
- At least 1 acute wheezing episode with asthma-like symptoms* between episodes
Criterion 2
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- No likely alternative cause for the respiratory symptoms
Criterion 3
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- Timely clinical response of respiratory symptoms or signs to asthma medications, e.g. short term response to Short-Acting Beta-Agonist (SABA) or reduction of frequency and severity of symptoms during 2-3 months of Inhaled Corticosteroids (ICS) trial
NOTE
- To make a diagnosis of asthma, the three criteria must be present.
- If only one or two criteria are present, then a provisional diagnosis of asthma is made.
- Consider starting treatment and ensure periodic reassessment to document response to asthma medication and changes in symptoms over time.