The Journal of asthma : official journal of the Association for the Care of Asthma
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Asthma is a leading cause of emergency department visits and hospitalizations for children in the United States. As part of a larger study, the purpose of this analysis was to determine which variables were most effective at predicting subsequent pediatric asthma-related emergency department visits and hospitalizations. ⋯ These findings support the importance of early identification of children with asthma so that appropriate asthma management can be instituted before an emergency department visit occurs. Furthermore, results suggest involving school-age and preadolescent children in the care of their asthma so that they can be equipped and encouraged to self-manage their own asthma.
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Randomized Controlled Trial
Does parental involvement in pediatric emergency department asthma treatment affect home management?
To determine whether parents who deliver albuterol treatments in a pediatric emergency department with a metered dose inhaler with a spacer device (MDIS) report better adherence to MDIS use at home compared to parents whose children undergo standard nebulizer therapy. Children aged 1-5 years were randomized by day to usual treatment with nebulized albuterol (40 children) or to treatment by the parent with albuterol with an MDIS (46 children). ⋯ At follow-up, children in the MDIS group were 7.5 times more likely to be using the MDIS for their albuterol treatments (95%CI 1.6-35.6). Involving parents in treatment of asthma exacerbations in the emergency department using an MDIS may improve adherence to MDIS use at home.