Author/Editor		Štrukelj, M
Title		Diagnoza astme pri otrocih
Translated title		Diagnosis of asthma in childhood
Type		članek
Source		Med Razgl
Vol. and No.		Letnik 31, št. 4
Publication year		1992
Volume		str. 523-54
Language		slo
Abstract		Asthma is the commonest chronic illness and one of the most dangerous diseases in childhood. Paradoxically, it is often recognized late, and the treatment is frequently incorrect or inadequate. The author deals with the causes and consequences of incorrect diagnostic approach to the asthmatic child. Some guidelines are presented for recognition of asthmatic illness and for differentiation of asthma from other chronic and recurrent respiratory illnesses. The importance of historytaking -this nearly forgoffen medical art - is stressed, as accurate and reliable historical data are the cornerstones of final diagnosis. Some differential diagnostic clues are discussed. In older children, the diagnosis of asthma, based on two main features of the disease: reversible obstruction and increased responsiveness of the tracheobronchial tree, is confirmed by simple lung function tests. This obviates the need for evaluating the patient by a chest x-ray, skin tests and other allergologic tests. The importance of early treatment is underlined. Because of its high incidence asthma should be dealt with in primary health centres. General practitioners and physicians working in preschool and school child care centres - being paediatricians or not - should be involved with the management ot this disease. It is therefore of great importance that medical undergraduates - future physicians - familiarize themselves with proper evaluation and treatment of asthmatic children.
Descriptors		ASTHMA MEDICAL HISTORY TAKING CHILD ASTHMA RESPIRATORY FUNCTION TESTS