Q: Why is it important to get your child tested for asthma?
A: Recognising asthma and treating it safely and effectively, helps your child to lead a normal and active life, with few or no symptoms. 185 people are admitted to hospital daily in the UK after experiencing an asthma attack – even mild asthma can develop and change and become life-threatening.
My experience as a paediatrician with expertise in allergy and respiratory medicine means identifying patterns that may be missed when symptoms are reviewed in isolation or in primary care.
We aim to help families feel more informed and confident about what is happening in their child’s airways – and in what we can do to help you sleep better at night. We'll also recommend a follow-up at least once a year, so we can make sure your child's treatment is always working as well as it should be.
Q: How does FeNO help children with hayfever or allergic rhinitis?
A: This is an area many families are surprised by. Children with significant hayfever often have raised FeNO levels even before obvious asthma develops.
The nose, sinuses and lungs are all part of the same airway, so it makes sense that untreated allergic rhinitis can cause cough, throat clearing, mouth breathing, disturbed sleep, exercise symptoms and poor asthma control. This is particularly relevant for London families, where pollen exposure is high and dust mite allergy is common. International travel can also alter allergen exposure, and children are exposed to plenty of viruses in their school environments.
We increasingly use FeNO alongside expert allergy management at our London clinic to assess whether inflammation in the upper airway (nasal passages) may also be affecting the lungs.
Q: My child only coughs – could it still be asthma?
A: Yes, as not all children with asthma wheeze. Some children have cough-variant asthma, exercise-induced bronchospasm, or allergic airway inflammation without any obvious wheeze.
A persistent dry cough, especially at night, after exercise or during pollen season, can indicate airway inflammation rather than infection. FeNO testing can be especially useful in these situations.
Q: How is a FeNO test carried out?
A: The test is straightforward, non-invasive and most children over 5 years can do it with a practice go first.
Your child will:
- Take a deep breath in
- Seal their lips around a mouthpiece
- Blow out slowly and steadily for several seconds
Our new-generation mobile clinic machine analyses the breath instantly, and the nitric oxide level is displayed on the monitor straight away.
The whole test takes around five to ten minutes. Afterwards, we will take the time to discuss what the results mean and agree on the best next steps together, whether that's starting on a tailored management plan or arranging regular reviews.
