Children with severe asthma are impacted by triggers in the environment such as pollen, smoke, mold and other stressors. This can lead to frequent flare-ups of coughing, wheezing and chest tightness that often result in missed school days due to low physical endurance.
If your child has had more than:
- One hospitalization for asthma in the last year
- More than two emergency room visits or other indicators of poorly-controlled asthma, we will work with you to find the most appropriate treatment and the causes of your child's asthma
The Region’s Most Experienced Team of Asthma Specialists
Our nationally-recognized care team has extensive experience in the long-term care of patients with difficult-to-control asthma. To provide your child with the most appropriate treatment plan, the Severe Asthma Clinic works closely with specialists in the following areas:
These specialists, including our Spanish-speaking provider Geovanny Perez, M.D., will offer treatment specific to your child's needs and identify asthma triggers that may be hard to detect. This collaborative approach is why patients with the most complicated asthma cases in the mid-Atlantic region are referred to Children's National.
Treating Asthma with a Family-Centered Approach
Children's National has created one of the nation's leading programs to support children who are chronically affected by asthma that does not respond well to treatment. Our unique program to treat your child's severe asthma includes:
Family-Focused Asthma Education
In addition to identifying short and long-term health goals, our education program provides resources for a variety of diagnostic testing, such as bloodwork and radiology, so that parents fully understand the clinical care that their child is receiving here at Children's National.
Advanced Diagnostic Testing
We use the most sophisticated technology, including the latest in lung function testing (spirometry), exercise testing, exhaled nitric oxide (measure of eosinophilic inflammation) and bronchoscopy to measure the amount of air in your child’s lungs. This helps us ensure your child receives accurate diagnosis and treatment unmatched by most children’s hospitals.
Research Translated into Innovative Treatments
We have an entire research team dedicated to improving the understanding of severe asthma, including Dinesh Pillai, M.D., one of the nation’s foremost experts in pediatric asthma care. Since all of our specialists are involved in cutting-edge research, our patients have access to innovative treatments that improve their care. Our specialists are performing asthma-related research in the following areas:
Community-Focused Asthma Care Outreach
We are dedicated to improving health outcomes for all children and families affected by asthma. Throughout the year, our specialists partner with IMPACT DC Asthma Clinic to provide information and valuable asthma-related resources at health fairs, schools and churches within the Washington, D.C., area. We also lead an asthma educational series with D.C. high schools and facilitate asthma outreach projects for all patients with breathing difficulties.
- Our family resource guides provide useful tips for managing common asthma triggers, step-by-step instructions for using an inhaler, and a personalized asthma action plan to make sure your child is safe at school. View our tips and resources.
Contacting the Severe Asthma Clinic
At the Severe Asthma Clinic, we only see patients who have chronic asthma that is not responding well to treatment. Make an appointment with us if your child:
- Was admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU) or had more than one hospitalization in the past year due to severe asthma
- Was evaluated in IMPACT DC Asthma Clinic or primary care and was noted to have uncontrolled moderate or severe asthma symptoms, despite traditional treatment
- Needs high dose daily therapy to maintain asthma control
For more information or to make an appointment, call us at 202-476-2128.