Asthma is still prevalent in Australian children today. In a 2017 survey, it shows that 10% (around 460,000) of Australian children suffer asthma. And recently, it’s reported that there are new asthma hotspots this year.
Childhood asthma is incurable, and symptoms can continue into adulthood. That's why it's important to get the right treatment as early as possible. We can keep the child's symptoms under control and prevent damage to growing lungs.
In this blog, we will discuss the Childhood Asthma Control Test. A test to help doctors check if a child's asthma symptoms are well controlled.
What Is Asthma?
Asthma is a chronic lung disease affecting people of all ages. It causes inflammation and tightening of the muscles around the airways. This makes it harder to breathe. Symptoms can include coughing, wheezing, shortness of breath and chest tightness. These symptoms can be mild or severe and can come and go over time. (Word Health Organization, WHO)
What Is Childhood Asthma?
In childhood asthma, the lungs and airways become inflamed or swollen. This happens when they're exposed to certain triggers. Such triggers include inhaling pollen or catching a cold or other respiratory infection.
Childhood asthma can cause irritating daily symptoms. They can interfere with play, sports, school and sleep. In some children, unmanaged asthma can cause dangerous asthma attacks.
Childhood asthma isn't different from asthma in adults, but children face unique challenges. It's a leading cause of emergency department visits, hospitalizations and missed school days.
Unfortunately, childhood asthma is incurable, and symptoms can continue into adulthood. But with the right treatment, we can keep the child's symptoms under control. And also, prevent damage to growing lungs. (Mayo Clinic, Childhood Asthma 2023)
What Is a Childhood Asthma Control Test?
Childhood Asthma Control Test (C-ACT), is a questionnaire that helps doctor check:
- if a child's asthma symptoms are under control and
- how well the guardian is managing their child's asthmaover the previous month
The Childhood Asthma Control Test is a validated questionnaire for assessing recent symptom control for children aged 4–11 years within the Australian Asthma Handbook Guidelines, 2022.
Why Should I do a Childhood Asthma Control Test?
Asthma can change from day to day and month to month. This means that you or your child’s level of control may not always be the same. It’s a good idea to do this assessment now and then. Especially, if you or your child have been having more asthma symptoms than usual.
If the test shows that asthma is not well controlled, you or your child may be at risk of an asthma attack.
Who should take the Childhood Asthma Control Test?
The Childhood Asthma Control Test is designed for children from 4 to 11 years of age.
How are Childhood Asthma Control Tests different?
Asthma Control Tests are for adults and adolescents, aged 12 and older. It contains five questions that focus on the patient’s recent:
- asthma symptoms
- medication use, and
- general impact on daily life.
While Childhood Asthma Control Tests are for children of 4-11 years old. It has seven questions that gather information from both the child and the caregiver. It features simple language and visual aids to help children understand.
What are Childhood Asthma Control Tests about?
The Childhood Asthma Control Test (C-ACT) is for children ages 4–11. The child with asthma answers four questions about:
- how their asthma is today
- their symptoms when they’re physically active
- how often they cough due to asthma
- how often asthma disrupts their sleep
Their parent or guardian then answers three questions. The questions asks about how many days in the past month the child:
- had daytime symptoms
- wheezed
- woke up during the night
The final score will be on a scale of 0–27.
Where to get Childhood Asthma Control Tests?
Childhood Asthma Control Tests are generally available online for download. The following can also provide the test and help interpret the results.:
- Healthcare providers like paediatricians and general practitioners;
- local hospitals and;
- asthma clinics
Below is an example of a Childhood Asthma Control Test. Alternatively, you can download a copy from thislink.
