Home

  • Home
    • » e-Newsletters

Survey screens for asthma among preschoolers

Physician Practice Advisor, December 13, 2004

A screening process in a preschool education program can help identify children who probably have asthma, according to a study published in the November 2004 issue of the Annals of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology.

"Early asthma recognition and intervention in preschool children may reduce costs related to unscheduled medical care and missed school and work," Dr. Jill Berg, of the University of California, Los Angeles, and colleagues wrote in the report.

The researchers administered a seven-question survey to the parents and guardians of children 12 months-six years of age in pre-kindergarten programs. The surveys included questions on healthcare use, school absenteeism, and asthma symptoms. A total of 609 surveys from eight centers were returned.

Overall, the responses showed a probability of asthma in 12% of the children, but only 5% had been previously diagnosed with the condition.

Among the 12% with probable asthma, those of Hispanic descent were less likely to have a prior asthma diagnosis.

Most Popular