Asthma is the leading cause of hospitalization for children. But University of Iowa Children's Hospital has a team of experts who look at asthma differently. Their innovative approach has led to a 90 percent reduction in hospitalizations and emergency room visits.

Miles Weinberger, M.D., treats many children with asthma each year. Weinberger believes a majority of asthma patients could avoid trips to the emergency room, if they followed some simple guidelines he has developed.

"The vast majority of these hospitalizations and urgent care visits are preventable if the asthma is recognized, adequately evaluated, and the measures to deal with it are provided to the family."

Jamel Forehand of Waterloo is one boy benefiting from this approach. Jamel was hospitalized five times before University of Iowa Children's Hospital specialists saw him. Now he and his family manage the asthma effectively at home, without having to go to the emergency room.

"Children with asthma should be able to lead completely normal lives. They shouldn’t have to be going to the emergency room. They shouldn’t have to be hospitalized. They should be able to go to school, and they should be able to take part in all physical activity — including competitive athletics, if they’re so inclined," says Weinberger.

Weinberger says asthma is often mis-diagnosed at an early age. He believes carefully determining what is needed and teaching families how to manage asthma will allow more kids like Jamel to live happier, healthier lives.

For more information call University of Iowa Health Care - Pediatric Asthma Information at 888-573-5437.