What are the newer therapies to manage pediatric asthma?

Question

Hey doctor,

My 10-year-old son has severe asthma that is much worse this year despite maximum controller medications. He uses a rescue inhaler five to seven times daily and still wheezes with minimal activity. Peak flows are only 55 to 65 percent of his best despite high-dose inhaled steroids. He has missed over 35 days of school and been hospitalized three times for exacerbations needing IV steroids. He cannot do sports or playground activities because exercise triggers immediate breathing problems. Environmental triggers are unavoidable despite our efforts. His growth has slowed, and I worry about steroid effects on development.

ER visits occur times a month when breathing becomes difficult. The pulmonologist mentioned biologics like Omalizumab, but insurance questions the cost for a child. Are there newer therapies approved for severe pediatric asthma? I want him to play like other kids without constant respiratory distress.

Thanks.

Answer 1

Hi,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

I can understand your concern.

Your son’s asthma sounds very severe and difficult to control despite maximal therapy. In addition to Omalizumab, newer biologic options such as Mepolizumab, Benralizumab, and Dupilumab have been approved for children with severe asthma and may help reduce exacerbations and steroid use.

Kindly consult a physician and take medicines according to their consent. Also, get a review of asthma phenotype, allergy testing, and eosinophil levels to see which treatment best fits him, so he can access the most effective therapy and hopefully regain normal activity.

I hope this information will help you.

Thanks.