GINA -Global initiative of asthma strategy report is coming every year. There is a landmark shift in the strategy report in 2025 continuing in 2026 for the diagnosis of Asthma in children below 5 years of age
There are three components for the diagnosis and all three should be present for the diagnosis of asthma. In case of non presence of any component,the diagnosis should br written as Asthma Suspect.
- Acute episodes of recurrent wheeze – Recurrent means- 2 or more episodes in last 12 months ,each episode must last for at least 24 hours OR At least one episode in last 12 months with asthma like symptoms after or before acute wheeze episode in last 12 months. At least one wheeze should be confirmed by a health care professional or convinced by parents by audio or video recording.
- There should be adequate response to SABA within 20-60 minutes or in case of moderate to severe acute episode,within 3-4 hours of initiating SABA with oral corticosteroid OR, decreased frequency and or severity of episode after 2-3 months of ICS trial
- No alternate diagnosis is possible by meticulous clinical examination and investigations if required
