Asthma and Status Asthmaticus, Allergies, and Eczema

Atopic conditions, including asthma, allergic rhinitis, and eczema are common pediatric diseases that are likely to be encountered in the inpatient and outpatient settings. These are chronic conditions that require long-term management. Appropriate evaluation and treatment of allergic rhinitis and eczema can lead to improved quality of life for these patients. Proper management of asthma can lead to reduced morbidity and mortality from the disease. In this chapter, we will review the pathophysiology, clinical features, differential diagnosis, clinical evaluation, and treatment of these conditions. We will discuss aspects of the history and physical examination that are particularly relevant to the evaluation of these patients and can be applied immediately during clinical encounters.