Treatments for children with asthma?

Question

For parents who have children with asthma what treatments did you use that worked? My son is 11 months and he keeps having problems. I've already taken to doctors just curious what worked for other people.

Answer 1

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I don't have children, but I do have asthma, as well as neonatal/pediatric Respiratory Therapy training.

In patients who are less than twelve years old, there is a significantly smaller number of medications available to treat asthma. This is because many drugs used to treat adult (over 12 years old) asthmatics have not been tested as safe for babies. Another problem is that babies can't co-ordinate their breathing in the specific ways to use some of the drug delivery devices.

Bronchodilators, the drugs that are used to treat an asthma attack and sometimes to prevent further asthma attacks, are drugs that relax the muscles of the airways. Typically, Albuterol or Salbutamol (same drug, different name depending on where you live) is given via a nebulizer with a portable air compressor running it. Albuterol lasts for 4 to 6 hours and you may have to give it every 6 hours all day, every day to keep his asthma under control. If your baby has asthma that's alright mostly, Albuterol can be prescribed for as needed use. If Albuterol isn't strong enough or your son has side effects from it (shakiness, increased heart rate), then Xopenex might work better. Xopenex is much stronger than Albuterol, although it costs about 5 times more. It has fewer and less severe side effects. Xopenex can last from 6 to 8 hours, so fewer treatments in a day, if it is needed to cover him constantly.

Pulmicort is an inhaled steroid that is given via a nebulizer and portable air compressor. It is used when someone needs more than two treatments of Albuterol a week to have control of their asthma. Pulmicort would be taken once or twice daily at similar times each day. It works by reducing inflammation in the lungs and helps bronchodilators work more effectively. If your son were on Pulmicort and Albuterol or Xopenex at the same time, it would be best to give the bronchodilator first. This makes it so the inhaled steroid goes into lungs that are opened-up nicely, making it more effective.

In addition, Atrovent might be prescribed to help further bronchodilate his lungs. It is weaker and works in a different way, as compared to Albuterol or Xopenex, but can be very helpful. It would usually be given with the Albuterol or Xopenex. This can lead to long treatments, so it's important to be patient.

Singulair, a drug available in granule form for patients under 4 years old, can help block the release of inflammatory substances in your son's body before they get the chance to cause an asthma attack. It is not a steroid and you would just mix the granules into his food to administer it to him. Singulair would be given once daily.

Drug doses for people under 12 years of age should be determined by a doctor and administered in accordance to those guidelines. Infant doses are often significantly smaller than adult doses of the same drug, although they might be the same, depending on the patient.

That's what I can think of to treat a baby with asthma. There may be more options, but they would not be commonly used. The big problem with pediatric asthma is how often medications have to be given. If you are using a home portable air compressor, a nebulizer treatment might take a half hour each. If you are doing Albuterol, Atrovent, and Pulmicort, it could take a very long time. Then, you would have a few treatment in the day of just bronchodilators, which would likely take a half hour each. In the end, your baby would likely have a nebulizer on for an hour or two a day. Sometimes doctors prescribe metered dose inhalers (MDIs) - the ubiquitous asthma inhaler, for use on pediatric patients. If used with a spacer, a device that holds the aerosol and for a baby, a face mask which your baby would breathe through for the treatment, treatments could be much faster, although may be less effective. Nebulizers are less convenient, but more likely to give your son an effective amount of medication even if you throw it on him while is his sleeping.

I hope that helped. If your son is on Xopenex, Atrovent, Pulmicort, and Singulair, then he is pretty much maxed-out for a baby. Then, your son's doctor might consider undesirable treatments like Prednisone pills (bad, bad, bad!).

Source(s):

I'm a Respiratory Therapist.

Answer 2

Hi there. My son has asthma. Having a medical background, I know that the best treatment for an infant is to maintain a clean household, clean bedding, and have air purifiers. Also, cool air may help open his bronchials to aid in breathing. Also, I would recommend you to talk to a pediatrician and get him a prescription for albuterol sulfate to use wth a nebulizer. It is the only way to go for infants and babies. This will help. Check out Wal-Mart for nebulizers. They are good brands but also inexpensive. I believe about 80 bucks. It is a great investment that will put you at ease and help your baby as well.

Answer 3

Sometimes allergy shots help. Sometimes kids just grow out of it. Some people say that hypnosis or acupuncture can help. I think I've seen studies about the hypnosis but not sure about the acupuncture.

Good luck,

Dana

Answer 4

My daughter did not develop asthma until she was about 2 and a half. It was so scary. .. so I really feel for you...
Your baby may need to be on abuterol treatments... and now a days preventive medicine for asthma has grown by leaps and bounds. Depending on his diagnosis, he may grow out of it or he may be a canidate for a more agressive regiment.
Like steroids... since he is so little they may not do that... you never know... My ADVICE is to ask a lot of questions... and dont feel that any question is dumb, get an air purifier , and hold him a lot.... when a child can't breathe they panic naturally and its your job to help relax him and make him feel safe. Make sure you have others in his life that know about his condition and can administer his medication as needed, and give tlc too.

Answer 5

I have asthma.
We need fresh clean places.
When it is hot and stuffy, I get sick. Need AC most times. Keep well in Ac but care must be taken that chest is not exposed. Chill is the worst enemy.

When child has the problem, massage chest and back gently. Down to up. It releases any burps as well as help the lungs .

Avoid smoke and smokey areas.
Avoid dusty areas. If you dust the house, see child is not there in the same room.
Avoid strong smell around child. Like perfumes.
he is too small to tell you it is troubling him.

Remove carpet , if any, from his rooms.
Vacuum clean his areas regularly.
Wash his sheets and pillow cases every 3 days.
See no clothes 'smell' .

Do have a lot of patience with the child. Needs lot more love than others. It can be psychological sometimes.

I am not talking of treatments. Sure the doc will do that. But do go to the best and latest. Tablets harm in long run. But never let him suffer. Treat immediately. It is so painful. I feel awful for the child as I know how it is .

Wish you and him well. They often get OK as they grow.