Abstract
A questionnaire survey of 80 pediatricians who have participated in Hiroshima Childhood Allergy Research Group was conducted between June and August in 2005 in order to investigate the treatment of childhood asthma in Hiroshima. Seventy five out of 80 pediatricians (94%) were aware of the ''Japanese Pediatric Guideline for the Treatment and Management of Asthma (JPGL) 2002'', however, the ratio of them who refered JPGL was lower than that in the national survey of Japan. There were 47% of pediatricians who did not recommend inhaled corticosteroids therapy for asthmatic infants and they needed information on side effects of inhaled corticosteroids and concrete ihalation methods to use them. Sustained release theophylline, leukotriene receptor antagonists, and tulobuterol patch were used in any types of severity of asthma, while inhaled corticosteroids and DSCG+β2 stimulant inhalation were used in moderate and severe asthma as main long-term management. For asthmatic children using nebulizers at their home, inhalation method when they have asthmatic attacks was guided that β2 stimulant mixed with DSCG or saline was inhaled every 4 hours and they might visit hospital when their attacks continued after two times of inhalation therapy. To enlighten JPGL based on Hiroshima study of treatment for childhood asthma is useful to improve the treatment of chidhood asthma in that area.
