Table 2.

Overview of national and international guidelines on asthma in children

Guideline	Last updated	Age categories (years)	Preferred step up choices after initial low dose ICS	Specifies indications for starting low dose ICS	Specifies indications for starting moderate dose ICS	Specifies indications for starting high dose ICS	Describes adverse effects	Review interval for dose drop
GINA	2016	Up to 5	Mod dose ICS or add LTRA	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	3 months
		6–11	Mod dose ICS
		12 and older	Add LABA
Australia	2015	0–1	NS	Yes	NS	NS	NS	NS
		1–2	NS
		2–5	NS
		6 and older	NS
Canada Preschool	2015	1–5	Mod dose ICS	Yes	Yes	NS	NS	3 months
Canada Older	2012	6–11	Mod dose ICS	Yes	NS	NS	Yes (CTS 2010)	weeks to months
		12 and older	Add LABA
SIGN	2014	0–4	LTRA	Yes	NS	NS	Yes	3 months
		5–12	Add LABA
		13 and older	Add LABA
ICON	2012	Describes other guidelines	Describes other guidelines	NS	NS	NS	NS	NS
Saudi Arabia (SINA)	2012	<5	Mod dose ICS	Yes	NS	NS	Yes	3–6 months
		5 and older	Add LABA
Japan	2012	<2	LTRA is first choice, not ICS. Step-up: mod dose ICS	Yes	Yes	Yes	NS	3 months
		2–5	Mod dose ICS
		6–15	LABA or mod dose ICS
South Africa	2009	<5	Mod dose ICS	Yes	NS	NS	Yes	3 months
		5 and older	LTRA or LABA or mod dose ICS
PRACTALL	2008	0–2		NS	NS	NS	Yes	NS
		3–5	Mod dose ICS or add LTRA
		6 and older	Mod dose ICS or add LTRA
NHLBI	2007	0–4	Mod dose ICS	Yes	NS	NS	Yes	3 months
		5–11	Mod dose ICS or add LABA
		12 and older	Add LABA
India	2003	<5	Mod dose ICS	Yes	NS	NS	Yes	3–6 months
		5 and older	Add LABA