Asthma in Children Asthma is a disease of all age groups, but the steepest recent increases in asthma cases have been among children. Asthma is the leading serious chronic illness among children. The American Lung Association estimates 5.3 million children have asthma, while many others have undiagnosed asthma. Most children have mild to moderate problems, and their illness can be controlled by treatment at home or in the doctor's office. For some children, the illness is a serious problem causing numerous visits to the hospital emergency room and multiple hospitalizations.
Asthma accounts for one in six of all pediatric emergency visits in the United States.
Signs, Symptoms, Triggers Wheezing, though characteristic of asthma, is not its most common symptom. According to the American Lung Association, any child who has frequent coughing or respiratory infections should be evaluated for asthma. The child who coughs after running or crying may have asthma. Recurrent night cough is also common, as asthma is often worse at night. Infants who have asthma often have a rattly cough, rapid breathing and may have an excessive number of pneumonias, episodes of bronchitis or chest colds.