Inhaled Corticosteroids After a Pediatric Emergency Visit for Asthma

Specific Aim: To determine whether a prescription for Inhaled Corticosteroids (ICS) added to standard Emergency Department (ED) discharge therapy for young children with persistent asthma symptoms increases ICS use and improves symptoms and quality of life over the months following the ED visit. Hypotheses: In a cohort of pediatric patients with persistent asthma discharged from the ED after an acute asthma exacerbation, a prescription for ICS will: 1. Improve usage of ICS as measured by refill of a prescription within the first 2 months after the ED visit 2. Improve symptom severity at two weeks after an ED visit as measured by days of cough, wheeze, missed school, daycare or work 3. Improve patient and caregiver asthma-related quality of life during the 2 months following an ED visit measured by asthma Health Related Quality of Life (HRQL) 4. Improve asthma control at 2 months as measured by a validated asthma instrument