Children diagnosed with asthma are being urged by experts to maintain their inhaler usage even during school holidays to prevent life-threatening risks. Medical professionals have observed a spike in asthma attacks in September due to parents discontinuing or reducing asthma medication, especially during warm weather breaks. Children who pause their asthma medication during summer are at a fourfold increased risk of hospitalization at the beginning of the school term.
Asthma, a lung condition impacting approximately 1 in 11 children, manifests symptoms like coughing, wheezing, and difficulty breathing. Parents are advised to watch for signs of chest or stomach discomfort. In a recent campaign video, Louise Tipping, an NHS respiratory nurse at Birmingham Children’s Hospital, highlighted the significance of maintaining medication routines to avoid asthma exacerbations post-holidays.
Tipping emphasized the importance of ensuring children continue their prescribed asthma medication, including the preventer inhaler, to safeguard against potential attacks. Following a personalized asthma action plan is crucial, along with keeping a reliever inhaler handy at all times. Official data from Asthma + Lung UK revealed a 348% surge in hospital admissions for asthma attacks among children aged five to 14 in September compared to August.
The statistics for 2024 indicated a substantial rise in hospital admissions for asthma attacks among five to nine-year-olds by 370% and 10 to 14 year-olds by 307% during September. Boys within the age group exhibited a higher susceptibility to asthma-related hospitalizations than girls. Asthma & Lung UK supported the message, emphasizing the necessity of children adhering to their medication regimen well in advance of the school term to maintain adequate asthma control and reduce the risk of attacks.
