Pediatric Allergy and Asthma

Greenwich Hospital's allergy and immunology specialists evaluate and treat children with many allergic disorders, including:

• Asthma 
• Food allergies
• Allergic reactions to animals, insects, and medications
• Seasonal allergies (pollen, ragweed, tree, grass)
• Mold allergies
• Dust mite allergies
• Skin allergies
• Conjunctivitis
• Allergic eczema
• Sinusitis
• Hives (also called urticaria)
• Anaphylaxis
• Latex allergy

The allergists at Greenwich Hospital work with families and pediatricians to develop the most effective treatment plan for each individual child. Treatment for children's allergies may include environmental control and avoidance, over-the-counter medications, prescribed medicines such as corticosteroids and allergy shots (allergy immunotherapy).

Diagnosis

Most children with asthma have allergies. Even exposure to low-grade allergens (those that do not cause major allergic reactions) may cause asthma.  Our allergists and pulmonary specialists work with families and primary care physicians to help children manage their asthma and lead healthy, active lives.

To diagnose asthma, doctors rely on a combination of medical history, physical examination and laboratory tests, which may include:

• Spirometry: a device called a spirometer to record the amount and the rate of air breathed in and out over a period of time.
• Lung Volume: measure total lung capacity.
• Airway Resistance: measures how easily air moves in and out of the lungs to determine if airways are narrowed.
• Diffusing Capacity (DLCO): measures how well gases such as oxygen move from the lungs into the blood.
• Arterial Blood Gases (ABG): a blood test that can show how well the lungs are getting oxygen into the blood and carbon dioxide out of the blood.

Treatment

Treatment of asthma in children may include:

• Creating an "asthma attack" plan, which includes education on avoiding triggers, taking prescribed medications, monitoring for warning signs, and knowing what to do during an asthma attack.
• Quick-acting relievers such as bronchodilators.
• Long-term “controller” medications that can inhaled or taken in pill form to control asthma or prevent symptoms.

Emergency Care

For children experiencing an allergy or asthma attack requiring emergency care, Greenwich Hospital's Emergency Department physicians are all board-certified in emergency medicine and experienced in pediatric emergency care.

Learn more about the Emergency Department