Clinical characteristics of status asthmaticus in preschool children

Abstract

Introduction/Objective Asthma is the most common chronic disease in children. Status asthmaticus is a severe exacerbation of asthma that can lead to hypoxemia and respiratory failure. Diagnosing asthma in preschool-aged children is often challenging as wheezing episodes at this age are most often caused by viral infections. The objective was to assess this issue in our population and improve clinical practice for diagnosing and treating status asthmaticus in preschool children.

Methods A retrospective study included 200 children aged up to five years who were hospitalized with status asthmaticus during January 2019 – December 2023. Data on patients, diagnostic procedures, therapy, and clinical course were analyzed.

Results The largest proportion of patients was aged one year (31.5%), and males predominated (60.5%). The patients were most commonly hospitalized during the fall months, with an average length of hospital stay of 6.4 days. Allergy was confirmed in 50% of the children. Family history of atopy was present in 56% of the children. Previously diagnosed asthma was present in 13.5% of the children. At discharge, asthma preventive therapy was introduced in 91.5% of the children. All the children had a favorable outcome and were discharged from the hospital.

Conclusion Status asthmaticus most commonly occurs in children in the first year of life, often presenting as the initial manifestation of asthma. More than half of the children had a family history of atopy and confirmed allergies. Timely treatment according to current protocols is crucial for a good outcome.

Keywords: asthma; children; exacerbation; allergy