Asthma in Children

DURING the past two decades, important insights have been gained into the pathogenesis of asthma. Despite our greater knowledge, national statistics reveal increasing morbidity and mortality due to this disease.^{1 , 2} This paradox has led to a reevaluation of therapy.³ This review discusses the advances in our understanding of asthma, examines factors thought to contribute to asthma mortality, and summarizes current recommendations for the five major classes of medications used to treat asthma. The importance of nonpharmacologic therapy is also summarized. Although the emphasis of this review is on childhood asthma, clinical investigations involving adults are cited when there are no . . .