Table 1.
Differential diagnoses and diagnostic clues to consider when assessing a child with problematic severe asthma
| Differential diagnosis |
| Bronchiectasis |
| Obliterative bronchiolitis |
| Dysfunctional breathing |
| Foreign body |
| External airway compression, eg, vascular ring |
| Gastroesophageal reflux |
| Aspiration |
| Pertussis |
| Cystic fibrosis |
| Primary ciliary dyskinesia |
| Tracheobronchomalacia |
| Heart failure |
| Hypersensitivity pneumonitis |
| Diagnostic clues |
| Poor treatment response |
| Absence of any objective measures |
| Productive cough |
| Polyps |
| Failure to thrive |
| Nasal discharge from birth |
| Clubbing |