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Asth ma attacks can be stressful for both children and parents. Beyond the immediate symptoms, they can lead to missed school days, emergency room visits, and even hospital stays. What many parents don’t realize is that one asthma attack can increase the risk of future ones — but by knowing the warning signs and tracking your child’s lung health, you can take steps to reduce that risk and prepare for an attack. Children who have Repeat Asthma Attacks Research shows that children who have had an asthma attack are more likely to have another one within the next year — about a 25% higher chance (1, 2). Similarly, the more times a child is hospitalized for asthma, the greater the likelihood of another hospital visit down the line (1). One of the key predictors of future asthma problems is a measure called FEV₁ — or forced expiratory volume in one second. It’s a way to see how much air your child can breathe out quickly after taking a deep breath. (Learn what the spirometry lung function measures mean here ) In one study, researchers found that a 10% drop in FEV₁ over three months increased the risk of another asthma flare-up by 28% in the next three months (1, 3). It also meant poor asthma control was more likely (3). Other studies have shown that when FEV₁ levels are below 80% of what’s expected for a child’s age and size, the risk of another asthma attack increases significantly (4). This risk is even greater for FEV 1 less than 60% of the predicted value (4). In other words, even a single lung function test can help predict asthma risks for months — or even years — ahead (5). Another helpful measure is the mid-ma ximal expiratory flow (MMEF), also known as forced expiratory flow25-75% (FEF25 - 75%) . This number represents the average airflow during the middle 50% of a spirometry test. It gives doctors more detail about how well the smaller airways are working (6). One study found that a low MMEF was linked to a higher number of asthma attacks in the following year , making it another valuable tool for predicting which children might be at greater risk (7). What Parents Can Do 1. Monitor Lung Function at Home with SPARKY TM Keeping track of your child’s lung function can help you spot early signs that asthma may be worsening — before symptoms become serious. SPARKY TM lets you measure important lung function values such as FEV₁ and MMEF at home. This gives you and your child’s doctor valuable information to adjust treatment early and prevent an attack. 2. Watch for Changes in Symptoms If your child’s coughing, wheezing, or shortness of breath seems to be getting worse, even slightly, it’s worth noting. Small changes can signal that their asthma is becoming less controlled (8). Keep on top of changes by using the ACT and TRACK surveys regularly (See our blogs for more information). 3. Stick to the Asthma Action Plan Every child with asthma should have a written plan from their healthcare provider. Make sure you know when to give daily medications, when to use a rescue inhaler, when to step up medications and when to seek emergency care (8, 9). 4. Follow Up Regularly Regular checkups — even when your child feels fine — help doctors track trends in lung function and adjust treatment as needed (8). The Bottom Line Asthma attacks don’t have to come as a surprise. By staying aware of your child’s lung function and understanding the risk factors for flare-ups, you can take proactive steps to keep their asthma under control — and help them breathe easier every day. Sarikloglou E , Fouzas S , Paraskakis E . Prediction of Asthma Exacerbations in Children. Journal of Personalized Medicine 14: 20, 2024. doi: 10.3390/jpm14010020. McIntyre A , Busse WW . Asthma Exacerbations: The Achilles Heel of Asthma Care. Trends Mol Med 28: 1112–1127, 2022. doi: 10.1016/j.molmed.2022.09.001. Fielding S , Pijnenburg M , de Jongste JC , Pike KC , Roberts G , Petsky H , Chang AB , Fritsch M , Frischer T , Szefler S , Gergen P , Vermeulen F , Vael R , Turner S . Change in FEV1 and Feno Measurements as Predictors of Future Asthma Outcomes in Children. Chest 155: 331–341, 2019. doi: 10.1016/j.chest.2018.10.009. Kitch BT , Paltiel AD , Kuntz KM , Dockery DW , Schouten JP , Weiss ST , Fuhlbrigge AL . A Single Measure of FEV1 Is Associated With Risk of Asthma Attacks in Long-term Follow-up. CHEST 126: 1875–1882, 2004. doi: 10.1378/chest.126.6.1875. Fuhlbrigge AL , Kitch BT , Paltiel AD , Kuntz KM , Neumann PJ , Dockery DW , Weiss ST . FEV1 is associated with risk of asthma attacks in a pediatric population. Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology 107: 61–67, 2001. doi: 10.1067/mai.2001.111590. Lazova S , Priftis S , Petrova G , Naseva E , Velikova T . MMEF25-75 may predict significant BDR and future risk of exacerbations in asthmatic children with normal baseline FEV1. Int J Physiol Pathophysiol Pharmacol 14: 33–47, 2022. Chereches-Panta P , Marica I , Sas V , Bouari-Coblișan AP , Man SC . The Role of Spirometry and MMEF in Pediatric Asthma Monitoring and Prediction of Exacerbations. Children 12: 1398, 2025. doi: 10.3390/children12101398. Asthma Attacks [Online]. Asthma Canada: [date unknown]. https://asthma.ca/get-help/living-with-asthma/asthma-attacks/ [4 Nov. 2025]. Asthma attack - Diagnosis and treatment - Mayo Clinic [Online]. [date unknown]. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/asthma-attack/diagnosis-treatment/drc-20354274 [4 Nov. 2025].

Asthma is the most prevalent respiratory disease in children, affecting ~10% of children across the world (Global Asthma Report) (1). Therefore, assessing lung function in children is essential—especially for those showing signs of persistent coughing, wheezing, or shortness of breath. But when it comes to preschool-aged children (typically ages 3–5), evaluating their lung function isn't as straightforward as it is for older children and adults. One of the gold-standard tools in respiratory medicine, spirometry , is often unreliable in this age group. This gap poses a real challenge for clinicians and can delay the accurate diagnosis and management of conditions like asthma . Why Spirometry Doesn’t Work Well in Preschoolers Cooperation and Comprehension - Spirometry requires a child to Seal their lips tightly around a mouthpiece Take a deep breath in Blow out as hard and as fast as they can for several seconds This sequence is unnatural and therefore challenging for many preschoolers, who may not fully understand or follow instructions consistently (2, 3). The result? Inaccurate, incomplete, or unreliable data . Poor Reproducibility Even if a young child manages to perform the test once, repeating it with the same effort and technique is a major hurdle. Reproducibility and therefore reliability is often lacking in this age group (3, 4). Lack of Normative Data Even when good-quality spirometry is achieved, there’s limited reference data for children under 6 (2). This makes it hard to interpret whether the results are truly normal or not. What Are the Consequences? The inability to perform reliable spirometry in preschoolers leads to several clinical consequences : Delayed or missed diagnosis : Without objective lung function data, diagnosing asthma or other lung diseases becomes more subjective and error-prone. Over-treatment or under-treatment : Children may be prescribed medications they don't need—or may not receive treatment they urgently require. Poor disease monitoring : Clinicians must rely more heavily on symptoms alone when the child has an appointment, which can be vague or misleading due to recall issues. Moving Forward: Bridging the Gap To improve respiratory care in preschoolers, we need: More research into child-friendly lung function tests Broader access to pulmonary function tests and tools that enable lung function tests in this age group Better training and protocols for performing spirometry in young children More normative data for interpreting results in this age group Final Thoughts The preschool years are a critical window for identifying and managing respiratory issues like asthma. Yet our tools for evaluating lung function aren’t always up to the task. While clinicians do their best with clinical judgment and symptom tracking, the lack of reliable objective testing in this age group remains a significant gap in paediatric respiratory care . Continued innovation, research, and advocacy are key to closing it. 1 Yuan L , Tao J , Wang J , She W , Zou Y , Li R , Ma Y , Sun C , Bi S , Wei S , Chen H , Guo X , Tian H , Xu J , Dong Y , Ma Y , Sun H , Lv W , Shang Z , Jiang Y , Lv H , Zhang M . Global, regional, national burden of asthma from 1990 to 2021, with projections of incidence to 2050: a systematic analysis of the global burden of disease study 2021. eClinicalMedicine 80, 2025. doi: 10.1016/j.eclinm.2024.103051. Fuhlbrigge AL , Kitch BT , Paltiel AD , Kuntz KM , Neumann PJ , Dockery DW , Weiss ST . FEV1 is associated with risk of asthma attacks in a pediatric population. Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology 107: 61–67, 2001. doi: 10.1067/mai.2001.111590. Aurora P , Stocks J , Oliver C , Saunders C , Castle R , Chaziparasidis G , Bush A . Quality Control for Spirometry in Preschool Children with and without Lung Disease. Am J Respir Crit Care Med 169: 1152–1159, 2004. doi: 10.1164/rccm.200310-1453OC. Nève V , Edmé J , Devos P , Deschildre A , Thumerelle C , Santos C , Methlin C , Matran M , Matran R . Spirometry in 3–5‐year‐old children with asthma. Pediatric Pulmonology 41: 735–743, 2006. doi: 10.1002/ppul.20389.

It’s been well-documented that racial and ethnic disparities exist across many areas of healthcare. In recent years, however, the focus has begun to shift—from simply recognizing these disparities to actively addressing them. Nowhere is this more critical than in the tools and practices we use to diagnose and manage disease. One such tool is the pulmonary function test (PFT), a standard test used to assess how well the lungs work (1). For over a decade, major medical organizations—including the American Thoracic Society (ATS)—have recommended using race- and ethnicity-specific reference equations to interpret these tests. The idea was to “normalize” expected lung function based on the patient’s racial or ethnic background (2, 3). But this approach has a major flaw: race is a social construct, not a biological one. By embedding race into the very algorithms we use for diagnosis, we risk reinforcing the very disparities we're trying to dismantle. The Problem with Race-Specific Equations Using race-specific equations in pulmonary testing can unintentionally normalize lower lung function values in certain populations—particularly Black individuals. This can lead to underdiagnosis or delayed treatment of pulmonary conditions like asthma or COPD. In fact, it wasn’t until 2022 that the Global Lung Function Initiative (GLI) released race-neutral average reference equations (GLI-Global and GLI-Other), and it was only in 2023 that the ATS and the European Respiratory Society (ERS) formally recommended transitioning to these updated equations (2). What the Research Shows A study by Rosenfeld and colleagues explored what happens when we stop adjusting pulmonary test results for race. They found that using the GLI-Global equations led to a higher average ppFEV1 (percent predicted forced expiratory volume in one second) in White patients (+4.6%) and a lower ppFEV1 in Black patients (-7.7%) (2). This is significant. The decline seen in Black patients with the race-neutral model suggests that prior race-specific equations may have underestimated the severity of lung disease in this population (2). What was once considered "normal" for Black patients may have, in fact, masked serious illness (2). Similarly, a study by Burbank and colleagues found that applying race-neutral spirometry equations led to more children being classified with uncontrolled asthma (ppFEV1 < 80%)—regardless of whether their asthma control test (ACT) labelled them as controlled (ACT >19) or uncontrolled (ACT ≤19). Among children with controlled asthma (measured by ACT score >19), those who shifted from “controlled” (≥80%) to “uncontrolled” (<80%) lung function also had significantly lower FEV1/FVC ratios, indicating worse airway obstruction (3). What This Means for Health Equity These findings highlight a stark reality: race-specific equations, though well-intended, may perpetuate disparities by obscuring the true burden of disease in certain racial and ethnic groups (2, 3). Shifting to race-neutral reference equations is not just a technical correction—it’s a step toward more equitable healthcare. It allows us to detect disease earlier, treat it more effectively, and ensure that our diagnostic tools do not unintentionally reflect or reinforce systemic biases. The Road Ahead As the medical community continues to reevaluate long-standing practices, it’s vital to center health equity in our decisions. The adoption of race-neutral equations in pulmonary function testing is a powerful example of how evidence-based updates can drive more just and inclusive care. While this transition is still unfolding, it represents meaningful progress in aligning science with social responsibility—and in ensuring that all patients, regardless of race, receive the care they truly need. Lung Function Tests [Online]. American Lung Association: [date unknown]. https://www.lung.org/lung-health-diseases/lung-procedures-and-tests/lung-function-tests [7 Oct. 2025]. Rosenfeld M , Cromwell EA , Schechter MS , Ren C , Flume PA , Szczesniak RD , Morgan WJ , Jain R . The impact of switching to race-neutral reference equations on FEV1 percent predicted among people with cystic fibrosis,. Journal of Cystic Fibrosis 23: 443–449, 2024. doi: 10.1016/j.jcf.2024.03.013. Burbank AJ , Atkinson CE , Espaillat AE , Schworer SA , Mills K , Rooney J , Loughlin CE , Phipatanakul W , Hernandez ML . Race-specific spirometry equations may overestimate asthma control in Black children and adolescents. Respiratory Research 24: 203, 2023. doi: 10.1186/s12931-023-02505-3.

As a parent, watching your child struggle to breathe is one of the most frightening experiences imaginable. Asthma, a common but serious condition, affects thousands of Canadian children and millions of children around the world —and understanding it is the first step toward managing it with confidence. What Is Asthma? Asthma is a chronic lung condition that causes inflammation and narrowing of the airways, making it harder to breathe. Children with asthma may experience: Coughing Wheezing Chest tightness Shortness of breath These symptoms can be triggered by allergens, viruses, exercise, or even cold air. While asthma has no cure, it can be managed effectively with the right tools and knowledge. How Is Asthma Diagnosed? Even if your child seems to breathe normally most of the time, asthma can still affect their lung function. A spirometry test to measure how well the lungs are working is most commonly used. This test is part of a group called Pulmonary Function Tests (PFTs). Key Measurements in Spirometry: Forced Vital Capacity (FVC): The total amount of air your child can exhale after taking a deep breath. It helps ensure the test is consistent and reliable. Forced Expiratory Volume (FEV): Measures how much air is exhaled in the first 0.5, 0.75 or one second. Healthcare providers use it to assess if there are limitations in air flow which can be associated with outcomes and severity of obstruction. If this number is below 80% of what’s expected for your child’s age, it may indicate airway obstruction. Peak Expiratory Flow (PEF): Shows how fast and forcefully your child can blow air out. It’s a good indicator of effort and lung strength. Forced Expiratory Flow (FEF): Focuses on the middle part of the breath and is more sensitive to show issues in the smaller airways. It is also referred to as Maximum Mid-Expiratory Flow (MMEF). FEV/FVC Ratio: This ratio compares how much air is forcefully exhaled in the first 0.5 (FEV 0.5 ), 0.75 (FEV 0.75 ) or one (FEV 1 ) second compared to the total exhaled. In children, this value is typically larger due to the larger relative size of their large airways compared to their total lung volume. According to the Global Initiative for Obstructive Lung Diseases (GOLD), a ratio lower than 0.70 may be a signal of more serious lung issues and your clinician may want to monitor more closely. Why This Matters for Your Child Asthma is the most common chronic condition in children, and early detection and management are key. Understanding these measurements helps you and your child’s healthcare provider track progress and adjust treatment plans. Making Lung Health Fun with Sparky™ Managing asthma doesn’t have to be scary or boring. That’s why Lung Games International Inc. created Sparky™, a cuddly digital companion that turns breathing exercises into a game. Using a handheld spirometer as a controller, kids help Sparky™ complete fun challenges—while learning proper breathing techniques and tracking their lung health. It’s a playful way to build healthy habits and give parents peace of mind. Want to learn more about Sparky™ or how to support your child’s lung health? Stay tuned for more tips, tools, and stories from families just like yours. References Asthma - What Is Asthma? NHLBI, NIH [Online]. 2024. https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/asthma [7 Oct. 2025]. Asthma - Symptoms and causes [Online]. Mayo Clinic: [date unknown]. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/asthma/symptoms-causes/syc-20369653 [7 Oct. 2025]. What Is Asthma? [Online]. Cleveland Clinic: [date unknown]. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/6424-asthma [7 Oct. 2025]. Lung Function Tests [Online]. American Lung Association: [date unknown]. https://www.lung.org/lung-health-diseases/lung-procedures-and-tests/lung-function-tests [7 Oct. 2025]. Spirometry [Online]. American Lung Association: [date unknown]. https://www.lung.org/lung-health-diseases/lung-procedures-and-tests/spirometry [7 Oct. 2025]. Pulmonary Function Test: Purpose, Procedure & Results [Online]. Cleveland Clinic: [date unknown]. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diagnostics/17966-pulmonary-function-testing [7 Oct. 2025]. Graham BL , Steenbruggen I , Miller MR , Barjaktarevic IZ , Cooper BG , Hall GL , Hallstrand TS , Kaminsky DA , McCarthy K , McCormack MC , Oropez CE , Rosenfeld M , Stanojevic S , Swanney MP , Thompson BR . Standardization of Spirometry 2019 Update. An Official American Thoracic Society and European Respiratory Society Technical Statement. Am J Respir Crit Care Med 200: e70–e88, 2019. doi: 10.1164/rccm.201908-1590ST. Nève V , Edmé J , Devos P , Deschildre A , Thumerelle C , Santos C , Methlin C , Matran M , Matran R . Spirometry in 3–5‐year‐old children with asthma. Pediatric Pulmonology 41: 735–743, 2006. doi: 10.1002/ppul.20389. Lazova S , Priftis S , Petrova G , Naseva E , Velikova T . MMEF25-75 may predict significant BDR and future risk of exacerbations in asthmatic children with normal baseline FEV1. Int J Physiol Pathophysiol Pharmacol 14: 33–47, 2022. Kwon DS , Choi YJ , Kim TH , Byun MK , Cho JH , Kim HJ , Park HJ . FEF25-75% Values in Patients with Normal Lung Function Can Predict the Development of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease. Int J Chron Obstruct Pulmon Dis 15: 2913–2921, 2020. doi: 10.2147/COPD.S261732. Jo YS , Kim SK , Park SJ , Um S-J , Park Y-B , Jung KS , Kim DK , Yoo KH . Longitudinal change of FEV1 and inspiratory capacity: clinical implication and relevance to exacerbation risk in patients with COPD. Int J Chron Obstruct Pulmon Dis 14: 361–369, 2019. doi: 10.2147/COPD.S189384. Peak expiratory flow HealthLink BC [Online]. [date unknown]. https://www.healthlinkbc.ca/healthwise/peak-expiratory-flow [2 Oct. 2025]. Aurora P , Stocks J , Oliver C , Saunders C , Castle R , Chaziparasidis G , Bush A . Quality Control for Spirometry in Preschool Children with and without Lung Disease. Am J Respir Crit Care Med 169: 1152–1159, 2004. doi: 10.1164/rccm.200310-1453OC. Torén K , Schiöler L , Lindberg A , Andersson A , Behndig AF , Bergström G , Blomberg A , Caidahl K , Engvall JE , Eriksson MJ , Hamrefors V , Janson C , Kylhammar D , Lindberg E , Lindén A , Malinovschi A , Lennart Persson H , Sandelin M , Eriksson Ström J , Tanash H , Vikgren J , Johan Östgren C , Wollmer P , Sköld CM . The ratio FEV1/FVC and its association to respiratory symptoms—A Swedish general population study. Clin Physiol Funct Imaging 41: 181–191, 2021. doi: 10.1111/cpf.12684.

How Play Can Empower Young Children to Manage Their Asthma

How a Toddler’s Game Helped Detect His Asthma Early