Special Considerations for Diagnosing Asthma in Young Children

For the 0- to 4-year age group, history, symptoms, physical examination, and a therapeutic trial with medications will aid in the diagnosis of asthma. 

If available, impulse oscillometry can be utilized in young children who are unable to perform spirometry.

A risk profile tool, such as the Asthma Predictor Index (API), can help determine the risk of developing persistent asthma symptoms. The API identifies major and minor risk factors for developing persistent asthma among children younger than 3 years who have had 4 or more significant wheezing episodes in the past year. 

See GINA Box 6-2 Features suggesting a diagnosis of asthma in children 5 years and younger.1

1Global Initiative for Asthma. Global Strategy for Asthma Management and Prevention, 2023. Available from www.ginasthma.org.