Age 3-7

About 80% of asthmatic children develop their symptoms before the age of 6. Allergy to house dust mites, animal epithelia and moulds is the main cause, although food allergy is still implicated in some cases. Airway obstruction worsens when playing outdoors in cold, damp weather, but still mostly during periods of infection. Environmental control becomes more difficult due to the child's widening social contacts. Indirect exposure to animals via a friend's clothing is a common problem.

At this age children play very actively and often run impulsively, so exercise becomes an important trigger factor for asthma, one that is not easily controlled. However, it does become easier to administer medication in this age group and ?2-agonists are useful for acute asthma attacks. For chronic problems other drugs may be given prophylactically. Inhaled steroids, antileukotrienes and long-acting ?2-agonists are examples of drugs used prophylactically in children with moderate to severe asthma.

One should try to provide a medication schedule which avoids the need to take medication in school. The doctor and paramedical personnel can also help change the attitudes of teachers and coaches (and in some cases school nurses) by educating them in the needs of the individual child and by showing them how the school program can be adjusted to the child's physical capacity, so that the child is not penalized or singled out.