How is asthma in children diagnosed?

How is asthma in children diagnosed?

Asthma is often difficult to diagnose in infants. However, the disease can often be diagnosed in older children based on the child's medical history, symptoms, and physical examination, and on certain tests:

• Medical history and symptom description: The healthcare provider will ask about any history of breathing problems your child may have, as well as a family history of asthma, allergies, a skin condition called eczema, or other lung diseases. Be sure to describe your child's symptoms (cough, wheezing, shortness of breath with/without activity, increased work of breathing, chest pain or tightness) in detail, including when and how often these symptoms have been occurring.
• Physical exam: During the physical examination, the doctor will listen to your child's heart and lungs.
• Tests: Many children will have a chest X-ray and pulmonary function (lung) tests, which measure the amount of air in the lungs and how fast it can be exhaled (breathed out ). The results will help the provider determine how severe the asthma is. Children younger than 5 are usually unable to perform pulmonary function tests, so doctors rely heavily on history, symptoms, and physical examination in making the diagnosis.

The doctor may order other tests to help identify particular asthma triggers, including allergy skin testing and blood tests.