Frontiers in Pediatrics (Feb 2019)

Severe Asthma and Allergy: A Pediatric Perspective

  • Stefania Arasi,
  • Federica Porcaro,
  • Renato Cutrera,
  • Alessandro G. Fiocchi

DOI
https://doi.org/10.3389/fped.2019.00028
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 7

Abstract

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Severe asthma in children is associated with significant morbidity and lung function decline. It represents a highly heterogeneous disorder with multiple clinical phenotypes. As its management is demanding, the social and economic burden are impressive. Several co-morbidities may contribute to worsen asthma control and complicate diagnostic and therapeutic management of severe asthmatic patients. Allergen sensitization and/or allergy symptoms may predict asthma onset and severity. A better framing of “allergen sensitization” and understanding of mechanisms underlying progression of atopic march could improve the management and the long-term outcomes of pediatric severe asthma. This review focuses on the current knowledge about interactions between severe asthma and allergies.

Keywords