Guidance for School Aged Children (12+ years old)
This guidance is designed to be used in practice to help diagnose and manage children with asthma and pre-school wheeze. Please click through the menus below to access the pathways and treatment recommendations. Each pathway is able to be downloaded for patient use but please only print when required to ensure you have the latest version available.
Diagnosis
In school aged children, use objective tests whenever possible to support a diagnosis of asthma. If testing is not available, consider a trial of treatment, following the prescribing pathway.
In school aged children, use objective tests whenever possible to support a diagnosis of asthma. If testing is not available, consider a trial of treatment, following the prescribing pathway.
Treatment Prescribing Pathway
Most children over 6 years of age can learn to use a dry powder inhaler. Prescribe an MDI and spacer only if this is not possible.
Most children over 6 years of age can learn to use a dry powder inhaler. Prescribe an MDI and spacer only if this is not possible.
Asthma Action Plans
Provide an action plan for the preferred treatment option (click for detailed information):
Provide an action plan for the preferred treatment option (click for detailed information):
- Regular low dose inhaled steroids (dry powder or aerosol) and as needed Salbutamol using aerosol and spacer (typically for children less than 12 years old)
- Maintenance And Reliever Treatment (MART) using a dry powder inhaler (typically for young people over 12 years old and a second line option for children 6-11 years old with a poor response to regular low dose inhaled steroid
Anti-Inflammatory Reliever Therapy
Inhaled Corticosteroids PLUS as needed Salbutamol Reliever
Maintance and Reliever Therapy (MART)
Children >6years should be able to use a dry powder inhaler (DPI).
Consider Symbicort 100/3 MDI for those unable to use a DPI.
Children with anaphylaxis to milk should not use a dry powder device.
Consider Symbicort 100/3 MDI for those unable to use a DPI.
Children with anaphylaxis to milk should not use a dry powder device.
Symbicort Turbohaler or DuoResp Spiromax Inhaler
Symbicort 100/3 Metered Dose Inhaler (MDI)
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