About the Book An up-to-the-minute reference guide for health professionals confronting pulmonary disorders in children, Pediatric Asthma offers the latest findings on this classification-defying disease and related conditions. Written by more than 20 international experts in the field, the book focuses on drug administration-issues of compliance, aerosol delivery, and pharmacokinetic differences among children-with a view toward developing new and more efficacious therapies. <br>Provides cutting-edge analysis for more effective diagnosis of children with asthma and improved monitoring and treatment for chronic patients! <br>With a firm theoretical grounding and reflecting the state of the art in pharmacological research and development, Pediatric Asthma <li>reviews the prevalence, causes, and demographics of childhood asthma worldwide <br> </li><li>explores determinants of the disorder in various populations-gender, age and severity of onset, atopic status, family history, and smoking <br> </li><li>elucidates physiological factors such as airway remodeling, airway hyperresponsiveness, and persistent inflammation <br> </li><li>describes in vivo and in vitro testing for asthma-associated allergy and the pros and cons of allergen immunotherapy <br> </li><li>delineates the dynamics of the lung in terms of phenomena such as peak expiratory flow (PEF), forced vital capacity (FVC), and bronchial hyperresponsiveness (BHR) <br> </li><li>highlights the importance of patient education and self-management <br> </li><li>investigates the role that developmental psychopathologies and neurobehavioral dysfunctions may play in pediatric asthma <br> </li><li>discusses inflammatory mediators such as cytokines, chemokines, leukotrienes, and prostaglandins <br> </li><li>evaluates intravenous and inhaled 2 agonists for the bronchodilating treatment of acute severe asthma <br> </li><li>and more! <br>Featuring over 2100 references, more than 60 user-friendly tables, and a handy Appendix on clinical monitoring of childhood asthma and recommended drug dosages for its treatment, Pediatric Asthma is an indispensable resource for pediatricians, pediatric pulmonologists, and pediatric pharmacists; clinical allergists and immunologists; general and family practitioners; and graduate and medical school students in these disciplines.</li>