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. 1978 Jul 29;2(6133):331–332. doi: 10.1136/bmj.2.6133.331

Is childhood asthma being underdiagnosed and undertreated?

A N Speight
PMCID: PMC1606459  PMID: 99203

Abstract

Thirty-four cases of asthma in children referred to outpatient clinics in Newcastle upon Tyne (16 cases) and London (18 cases) were reviewed. In both cities there was evidence of inappropriate diagnosis and treatment by general practitioners. One of the main factors seemed to be doctors' reluctance to use the word "asthma," even when a history of episodic wheezing strongly suggested the diagnosis. Freer use of the word "asthma" might help parents to co-operate in managing asthmatic children and allow them to be better prepared to cope with severe asthmatic attacks if they occur.

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Selected References

These references are in PubMed. This may not be the complete list of references from this article.

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