RT Journal Article SR Electronic T1 Problematic severe asthma in children, not one problem but many: a GA2LEN initiative JF European Respiratory Journal JO Eur Respir J FD European Respiratory Society SP 196 OP 201 DO 10.1183/09031936.00104809 VO 36 IS 1 A1 G. Hedlin A1 A. Bush A1 K. Lødrup Carlsen A1 G. Wennergren A1 F.M. De Benedictis A1 E. Melén A1 J. Paton A1 N. Wilson A1 K.-H. Carlsen YR 2010 UL http://erj.ersjournals.com/content/36/1/196.abstract AB Although most children with asthma are easy to treat with low doses of safe medications, many remain symptomatic despite every therapeutic effort. The nomenclature regarding this group is confusing, and studies are difficult to compare due to the proliferation of terms describing poorly defined clinical entities. In this review of severe asthma in children, the term problematic severe asthma is used to describe children with any combination of chronic symptoms, acute severe exacerbations and persistent airflow limitation despite the prescription of multiple therapies. The approach to problematic severe asthma may vary with the age of the child, but, in general, three steps need to be taken in order to separate difficult-to-treat from severe therapy-resistant asthma. First, confirmation that the problem is really due to asthma requires a complete diagnostic re-evaluation. Secondly, the paediatrician needs to systematically exclude comorbidity, as well as personal or family psychosocial disorders. The third step is to re-evaluate medication adherence, inhaler technique and the child’s environment. There is a clear need for a common international approach, since there is currently no uniform agreement regarding how best to approach children with problematic severe asthma. An essential first step is proper attention to basic care.