Pre-school wheeze: Diagnosis and treatment

Paediatric Asthma Workshop
PRE-SCHOOL WHEEZE: DIAGNOSIS AND TREATMENT

Tan Swee Wei
Sarawak General Hospital, Kuching, Sarawak, Malaysia

Wheeze is one of the most common symptoms of preschool children (1-5 years old) and it is a global public health issue. It is associated with significant healthcare costs, significant morbidity, parental stress and decreased productivity. Most suffer from recurrent episodic, commonly viral-induced attacks. Most remit over time. Does preschool wheeze lead to asthma? There are three phenotypes of preschool wheeze which include transient early wheeze, late-onset wheeze and persistent wheeze. These phenotypes can change within an individual over time, but they are a useful guide to current treatment. Roles of intermittent montelukast and inhaled and oral corticosteroids in pre-school wheeze.