Background: Programs exist for the identification of asthma among school-age children. However, with asthma starting sometimes at age 3 or below, earlier identification is needed. Objective: To implement a screening program in day care centers to determine the proportions of children diagnosed with asthma and those with symptoms needing medical assessment. Method: 6 child care centers serving 325 children aged 0-6 years of age participated in screening. Each center distributed a two-page asthma assessment form to parents enrolling their children in child care programs. Parents reported on their child’s asthma diagnosis and asthma symptoms and health care use in the past twelve months. Asthma symptoms were assessed using the standard ISAAC asthma symptom questions. Parents whose children had asthma or asthma symptoms were invited to participate in an asthma management program. Results: The 325 children screened were mostly aged 2-5 years of age. 20% of the children had been diagnosed with asthma, and all but one of these children had symptoms in the past year. Of the 80% not diagnosed with asthma, half (49%) reported 2 or more asthma symptoms in the past year, representing 39% of the study group. 9% of the children had siblings with asthma. 13% of the children had been to the ER and 4% had been hospitalized for asthma in the past year. Conclusions: This study highlights the need for asthma screening programs in child care programs. This is a group where almost one in four can benefit from asthma management programs.
Learning Objectives: To identify the procedures needed to screening for asthma in child care programs and to identify the potential benefits of early asthma screening.
Keywords: Asthma, Child Care
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: None
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.