Advances in pediatric asthma in 2007

This year's summary focuses on recent advances in pediatric asthma as reported in 2007 publications in the Journal. This past year, new National Asthma Education and Prevention Program asthma guidelines were released with a special emphasis on new information in pediatric asthma. Journal theme issues in 2007 included the revised National Asthma Education and Prevention Program asthma guidelines, the accomplishments of the National Institutes of Health asthma networks, and focused discussions on environmental allergens, neutrophils, eosinophils, T cells, and epithelial cells, all of which affect pediatric asthma. The new asthma guidelines emphasize several key terms including severity, control, impairment, risk, and responsiveness that are relevant for advancing the care of children with asthma. This review highlights Journal articles that relate to these guideline topics.

Key words: Asthma, asthma control, asthma impairment, asthma risk, asthma severity, early intervention in asthma, biomarkers, therapeutics

Abbreviations used: ACRN, Asthma Clinical Research Network, CAMP, Childhood Asthma Management Program, CARE, Childhood Asthma Research and Education Network, ICS, Inhaled corticosteroid, LABA, Long-acting β-adrenergic agonist, LTRA, Leukotriene receptor antagonist, NAEPP, National Asthma Education and Prevention Program, NHLBI, National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, PACT, Pediatric Asthma Controller Trial