(UK) Pharma Journal: 1 in 11 kids has asthma; important to vaccinate

July 4, 2023, Pharmaceutical Journal: Children and young people with asthma: symptoms, diagnosis and the role of pharmacy https://pharmaceutical-journal.com/article/ld/children-and-young-people-with-asthma-symptoms-diagnosis-and-the-role-of-pharmacy

The first of our two-part series on asthma in children and young people is an overview of the condition, outlining the role pharmacy can play in supporting patients and their families and/or carers….

It is the most common long-term condition in children and young people aged 6–17 years in the UK, with 1.1 million children receiving treatment and 1 in 11 children and young people living with asthma.

The UK has the highest asthma mortality rates compared with other countries in Europe and asthma is one of the top ten causes of emergency hospital admissions for children and young people in the UK. There are several reasons why this may be the case, including erroneous diagnosis and poor adherence to guidelines by healthcare providers. Asthma is often trivialised as a condition and it is essential to reiterate to patients, their families and/or carers, and healthcare professionals that it is a potentially fatal disease….

Children with neurodiversity may require extra time to adapt to their inhalers and transition to different devices; the Rafi-tone app is a very useful tool in these cases as it can reduce stress and anxiety around these medicines by making their use fun and interactive.

The number of young people vaping has increased in recent years, with 9% of those aged 11–15 years in the UK using e-cigarettes in 2021 compared with 6% in 2018, while experimental use of e-cigarettes in those aged 11–17 years has also increased to a staggering 50%, compared with the previous year, although this number may be inflated owing to inaccurate reporting[29]. The Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health is urging the UK government to implement an outright ban on disposable e-cigarettes owing to potential health risks and the serious environmental impact[30]….

Vaccinations

Public Health England recommends flu vaccinations for children with asthma because flu causes serious complications, such as pneumonia, meningitis, encephalitis or death, and patients with asthma are at a higher risk. Encouraging uptake of all childhood vaccinations is another important role that pharmacists can play and reduces attack rate….

Summary

Pharmacists and pharmacy technicians play an important role in supporting children and young people and their families with asthma through education, training and adherence to medication. Children and young people with asthma still continue to die through lack of basic knowledge and checks, and pharmacists can play a vital role to ensuring asthma deaths in children and young people do not happen.