Asthma

Pediatric asthma is the most common chronic childhood disease and it is increasing in prevalence and morbidity in the United States. The Center for Asthma and Allergic Diseases uses a high-quality model of care to treat children with asthma. The Center's asthma disease management program features intensive inpatient and outpatient services emphasizing the use of national and international guidelines, and asthma education classes for parents.

Diagnostic services include:

• Extensive allergy testing with skin test and/or cap radioallergosorbent (RAST) testing
  
• Pulmonary function testing
  
• Peak flow monitoring
  
• Exercise testing
  

Our treatment services include:

• Extensive individual patient/family education.
  
• Objective monitoring of asthma severity.
  
• Identification and control of environmental precipitants.
  
• Development of a comprehensive step-wise medication program focusing on anti-inflammatory therapy.
  
• Acute management plans for home management of exacerbations and regular follow-up care.

The Center works closely with patients' primary care providers to institute ongoing, continuous care and to reduce costly hospitalizations and emergency room care.