RESUMEN

Actualmente las guías de práctica clínica y lineamientos internacionales sobre diagnóstico y manejo de asma, incluyen consideraciones especiales en pacientes menores de cinco años de edad, dada la frecuente comorbilidad respiratoria asociada a este grupo etario y la pobre o nula cooperación del niño para realizar pruebas de función respiratoria, favoreciendo el subdiagnóstico, retrasando la terapéutica y afectando la correcta evaluación de severidad, nivel de control, evolución clínica y adecuada respuesta al tratamiento. Es por ello que el adecuado conocimiento de la historia natural y los distintos fenotipos en lactantes y preescolares permiten establecer consideraciones clínicas y funcionales sobre la progresión del asma desde los primeros años de vida hasta la edad adulta, siendo necesario realizar un abordaje especial considerando antecedentes personales y familiares, progresión de síntomas y comorbilidades existentes, lo que a su vez permitirá clasificar, monitorear y planear la terapéutica para alcanzar y mantener el control de la enfermedad, ya que hasta el momento el asma no se cura, aunque su control se alcanza en la mayoría de los pacientes. La interacción médico-paciente-familia, la educación, el control de factores de riesgo y comorbilidades, la evaluación, tratamiento y monitoreo de la evolución del asma son la base del éxito en el manejo del paciente asmático.

PALABRAS CLAVE

Asma, niños, diagnóstico oportuno.

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