How bad a child's asthma need to be to prescribe pulmicort respules?

Frequency/severity: If a child needs to use a rescue inhaler (or nebulizer) more than two days a week on a regular basis, or asthma symptoms are waking her up more than twice a week, the asthma is not in good control. An inhaled steroid (such as pulmicort) may be indicated to reduce swelling in the bronchial tubes.

Depends: In general inhaled steroids are started when a child is experiencing frequent night cough (> 2/mo), frequent asthma symptoms/inhaler use (>2/wk), limited activities, frequent severe attacks (<6wks apart). You can also use steroid inhalers instead of Pulmicort or use singulair (montelukast) pills/granules instead of a steroid. The age of the child also plays a role. It's different for a 2mo old vs 14 yr old.