MANAGEMENT OF ASTHMA IN A SCHOOL POPULATI ON IN BORDEAUX

Increased morbidity dire to asthma is rr well-documented in children, causing an increase ill frequency of emergency consultations, hospital izations and school absences. Causes suggested to affect the higher in cidence of these surrogate markers include under-diagnosis and insuffi cient treatment of asthma. It is however difficult to estimate the deg ree of under-diagnosis and studies oil treatment generally concern dru g therapy in a hospital setting. The aim of this work was to study man agement of asthma attacks in order to assess the importance of insuffi cient treatment in children. Within the framework of the ISAAC (Intern ational Study of Asthma and Allergies in Childhood), we conducted a su rvey in our unit asking precise questions concerning management. We st udied children whose diagnosis of asthma had been confirmed by a physi cian and who had at least one acute attack during the twelve preceding months. Both criteria were met by 154 (4.8%) children. Based on the r eported frequency of acute attacks, 94.8% of the children had low-asth ma. 96% of the parents were unable to describe a minimally, moderately , or highly intense episode. Treatment was generally administered at o nset, whatever the intensity of the episode. Inhaled bronchodilators w as used at first intention therapy. General steroid therapy was used a s second intention therapy. Four percent of the parents gave inhaled s teroids for acute attacks. Priority must be given to educating parents and children on the management of acute asthma.