Paediatric Respiratory Medicine

The paediatric respiratory medicine department at Allergy Asthma Foundation looks after breathing problems in children, from a baby with recurrent wheeze to a teenager with hard-to-control asthma. Paediatric chest specialists, respiratory physiologists, specialist nurses and physiotherapists work together in clinics designed to be calm and playful, so that children are relaxed enough for accurate testing.

Every AAF centre offers same-week outpatient review, play-based lung function testing, allergy testing on site, and structured education sessions for parents and carers.

Conditions we care for

The team manages the range of childhood breathing problems, including:

• Asthma, including severe and difficult-to-treat asthma
• Recurrent viral wheeze in pre-school children
• Long-lasting or repeated cough
• Breathlessness with exercise or sport
• Snoring and sleep-disordered breathing, including sleep apnoea
• Recurrent chest infections and bronchiectasis
• Problems following prematurity or a stay in neonatal intensive care
• Noisy breathing (stridor) and suspected airway abnormalities
• Breathing symptoms linked to allergy and hay fever

Tests and treatments

Assessment

• Play-based spirometry and, for younger children, other age-appropriate lung function tests
• FeNO (exhaled nitric oxide) testing for airway inflammation
• Skin prick or blood allergy testing where a trigger is suspected
• Chest X-ray and, occasionally, low-dose CT
• Overnight oxygen or sleep studies

Treatment and support

• Inhaler and spacer technique taught and checked at every visit
• A written, personalised asthma action plan for home and school
• Step-up and step-down of preventer treatment based on control
• Biologic therapy for selected children with severe allergic asthma
• Airway clearance physiotherapy for children with recurrent infections
• Advice on allergen avoidance, exercise and school support

What happens at your visit

1. The specialist asks about your child's symptoms, how often they happen, night-time waking, exercise, triggers and time off school.
2. Your child has a chest examination and, when old enough, lung function testing presented as a game.
3. Allergy testing or a chest X-ray is arranged if it will guide treatment.
4. The diagnosis and a written action plan are explained to you and, where appropriate, to your child.
5. Inhaler technique is checked, and a follow-up is arranged to review control.

How to prepare

• Bring every inhaler and spacer your child uses, plus any other medicines.
• Bring the school or nursery's notes on symptoms and absences if you have them.
• Keep a short diary of cough, wheeze, night waking and reliever inhaler use for the two weeks before the visit.
• For lung function testing, avoid a big meal and vigorous play just beforehand, and follow any advice about holding reliever inhalers.
• Bring a favourite toy or book to help your child settle.

Care alongside other departments

Children's breathing problems often need more than one team. We work with general paediatrics for overall care, with the allergy and immunology team for testing and immunotherapy, with ENT for tonsils, adenoids and sleep apnoea, with the neonatal follow-up service for babies born early, and with the imaging service for child-friendly scans.

When to seek help urgently

Follow your child's asthma action plan and seek emergency care if your child has:

• Breathing that is fast or hard work, with the skin sucking in around the ribs or neck
• Too breathless to speak, eat or play
• A reliever inhaler that is not helping, or is needed again within a few hours
• Blue or grey lips, or unusual drowsiness
• Sudden severe wheeze after contact with a known allergen

Questions parents ask

Do I need a referral?

No. You can book directly. Your child's health record, immunisation history and any school notes help the specialist build a full picture.

Will my child grow out of asthma?

Many children have far fewer symptoms as they get older, especially with good control now. Some continue to need treatment as adults. Regular review keeps the treatment matched to how your child is doing.

Are inhaled steroids safe for children?

At the low doses used for asthma, inhaled preventers are considered safe and are far safer than poorly controlled asthma. Growth and control are checked at each visit.

To arrange a review with the paediatric respiratory team at your nearest AAF centre, book online or request a callback and our coordinators will help.