The impact of severe asthma on schoolchildren

Episodic airway obstruction and hypoxia are potentially life-threatening to children with asthma and may account for neuropsychological impairment. Mo reover, living with this chronic disease may severely disrupt children's em otional functioning. The general functioning of 25 children with severe ast hma aged 10-13 years was tested by a comparison with 25 matched normal cont rols. Testing included variables with relevance to normal daily functioning : memory, concentration, school performance, physical condition, subjective symptoms after exercise, and negative emotions. The results showed that ch ildren with asthma did not significantly deviate from controls. They report ed more dyspnea after physical exercise, which could not be attributed to l ung function. Differences in school performance were not significant. It wa s concluded that children may generally adapt well to-living with asthma.