Based on the table below, you can determine if your 0-4 year old child's asthma is:
- Well controlled
- Not well controlled
- Very poorly controlled
For example, if your child is waking up 2 nights per week with cough or breathing trouble, your child's asthma is in the not well controlled category. You may want to review your child's asthma care plan based on their symptoms or discuss with your child's doctor if in the not well controlled or very poorly controlled categories.
Interpreting the Table
Use the following to interpret the table:
- Symptoms: How many days in the last week has your child experienced chest tightness, cough, difficulty breathing, or wheezing?
- Nighttime awakenings: How often does your child awake at night with chest tightness, cough, difficulty breathing, or wheezing?
- Rescue inhaler use: How many times in the last week has your child used a rescue inhaler?
Sources:
National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute. Accessed: January 1, 2009. Expert Panel Report 3 (EPR3): Guidelines for the Diagnosis and Management of Asthma
Clinical Pulmonary Function Testing, Exercise Testing, and Disability Evaluation. In Chest Medicine: Essentials Of Pulmonary And Critical Care Medicine. Editors: Ronald B. George, Richard W. Light, Richard A. Matthay, Michael A. Matthay. May 2005, 5th edition.
How Well Is Your Child's Asthma Controlled? | |||||||||||||||
| Well Controlled | Not Well Controlled | Very Poorly Controlled | |
| Symptoms | 2 or less days per week | More than 2 days per week | Daily |
| Nighttime Awakenings | Less than 2 X's per month | 1-3 X's per week | 4 or more times per week |
| Rescue Inhaler Use | 2 or less days per week | More than 2 days per week | Daily |
