Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP) described its comprehensive approach to pediatric asthma care in a statement released on Apr. 16. The hospital, which reports that asthma is the most common chronic disease among children and the leading cause for hospital admissions, emphasized its commitment to improving outcomes both locally and globally.
Asthma affects many children and can disrupt daily life for families. CHOP said it aims to help patients manage their condition through education, advanced therapies, personalized treatment plans, community engagement, and ongoing support.
Shikha Saxena, MD, an attending physician at CHOP’s Division of Pulmonary and Sleep Medicine and director of the Pulmonary Asthma Program, discussed her personal connection to asthma care. “From a young age, I understood how breathing problems can impact daily life,” Saxena said. She explained that her own experiences as a child with asthma shaped her interest in helping others with similar challenges.
Saxena outlined key strategies for managing asthma beyond medication use: “We spend a lot of time providing education on the proper inhaler technique,” she said. She added that addressing other health problems or environmental exposures is important in controlling symptoms. Saxena also highlighted the need for accurate diagnosis using lab tests and imaging so treatments can be tailored to each patient.
Education plays a central role at CHOP. “Educating families about asthma exacerbations is essential so they can respond quickly and effectively,” Saxena said. Each patient receives a personalized action plan reviewed regularly during visits; school copies are also provided when needed.
The hospital offers psychosocial support through social workers and psychologists who help address emotional or school-related issues affecting asthma control. Saxena noted that mental health concerns such as anxiety or depression may worsen symptoms or interfere with treatment adherence.
For severe cases unresponsive to standard therapies, biologic medications may be considered after careful counseling about benefits and risks: “Most families describe biologic therapy as a ‘game-changer,’ with patients feeling much better once established on the treatment,” she said.
CHOP collaborates closely with primary care providers and specialists through programs like the Pulmonology and Allergy Personalized Asthma (PAPA) clinic—a multidisciplinary effort shown to reduce emergency room visits among participants. The hospital has introduced new educational materials for patients before discharge from hospitalization, updated resources in its teaching library, coordinated post-discharge follow-up using informatics dashboards, implemented quality improvement projects across departments including pharmacy home delivery initiatives—and extended outreach into homes via community health workers addressing environmental triggers such as pests or mold.
Looking ahead over the next 25 years, Saxena anticipates advances in precision medicine will lead to more targeted therapies based on genetic risk factors or biomarkers—potentially allowing earlier intervention even before symptoms develop fully: “Ideally…preventative use in young children at high risk for developing asthma may also become possible.”
Saxena concluded by emphasizing her dedication: “Caring for children with asthma is truly my passion…I strive to be a steady reassuring presence while equipping patients with tools…and confidence…Ultimately my goal is to help children breathe comfortably play freely…and grow into healthy adults without asthma holding them back.”
