Childhood Asthma

Childhood asthma is one of the most chronic diseases prevalent among children in the US. According to a 2006 estimate, nearly 6.8 million under 18 children with about 1.2 million under 5 had asthma. Many of them with asthma had experienced attacks while several of them had not been diagnosed so far. Hidden asthma is known to exist among many children in the US.


Of the many alarming figures that emerged from the 2006 study, childhood asthma was said to be higher among the 5-17 age group which was nearly 106.3 per a population of 1000 with the figures lessening as they age.



With nearly 10% of the population stricken, childhood asthma has become a serious health issue in the US. Under 18, the rate was far higher than those over 18 which highlight the seriousness of the issue.
Children under 15 with asthma ranked third among their group to be hospitalized. Nearly 32.6 per cent of children, those under 15, had to be hospitalized sometime or the other for asthma attacks. Figures don’t speak much as children under 15 years of age form only 27.8 per cent of the US population.


Asthmatic children miss school
It is not possible to lead normal lives when there is an episode of asthma. School going children with asthma cannot attend school when they experience an attack. In the US, school absenteeism due to asthma was one of the most common causes as reported in 2003. Children in the age group of 5 to 17 missed nearly 12.8 million school days as a result of at least one asthma attack in a single year.


Children not only miss school but cannot play their favorite games as asthma attacks slow down breathing which becomes increasingly labored as the attack intensifies. Exercises and very active life for asthmatics can lead to aggravation of the problem and children miss out on games and outdoor life because of this health hazard.


Childhood asthma like asthma in adults cannot be cured but can be contained by medication. American Lung Association has taken up the control of childhood asthma treating it as a top priority.

Share on Facebook

Like it? Tweet it!