There’s nothing scarier than worrying about your child’s breathing. At Next Wave Kids, our pediatric allergy nurse practitioner, Diana Karnilaw, keeps a close eye on every child for signs of the allergic triad—asthma, allergies, and eczema. These conditions often show up together, and we’re well-equipped to diagnose, treat, and manage them with compassion and expertise.
How old do kids have to be to be diagnosed with asthma?
Diagnosing asthma in children depends on several factors, including medical history, symptoms, and the child's ability to participate in testing. While there’s no set age, we’re often able to make a reliable diagnosis in kids as young as toddlers, especially when supported by a thorough clinical history and physical exam.
Do you do testing to diagnose asthma?
Yes! At Next Wave Kids, we use incentive spirometry—a fun, game-based computer program designed just for kids—to evaluate lung capacity and function. This test is often successful with kids aged 4-5 and up, especially when they're engaged and ready to play along. For our younger or more hesitant patients, we can still make an accurate diagnosis through:
A detailed medical history
Listening to the lungs with a stethoscope
Looking at patterns of wheezing, coughing, or breathing difficulty, especially with colds, exercise, or allergens
What do we look for?
We’ll talk with you and your child about things like:
Wheezing with illness, exercise, or allergens
Past use of inhalers, nebulizers, or oral steroids
Any ER or hospital visits for breathing issues
Your child’s birth history
Any family history of asthma, allergies, or eczema
Together, we’ll develop an individualized asthma care plan to help your child breathe easier, play freely, and live fully.
