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Optimizing Pediatric Asthma: Guidelines, Gaps, and Gray Zones

Workshop Overview

A comprehensive, practice-oriented workshop designed to strengthen pediatric asthma care through integrated lectures and hands-on training. The session focuses on translating updated GINA recommendations into daily clinical practice, with emphasis on age-specific management, correct inhaler technique, and effective use of spirometry. Participants progress from evidence-based decision-making to real-world skill application, ensuring immediate impact on outpatient and inpatient asthma management.

Introduction & Objectives (10 min)

(Dr. Mustafa Shihab Al-Anbaki)
• Overview of childhood asthma burden and unmet needs
• Importance of guideline-based management (GINA)
• Common diagnostic and management gaps in Iraqi practice

1. Asthma Management in Children: Updated GINA Approach

Dr. Sawsan Ali Hussein
Duration: 20 Minutes

Key Topics:

  • Confirming diagnosis (clinical assessment & objective tools)

  • Updated stepwise management approach

  • Controller and reliever strategies

  • Assessment of asthma control and risk

  • Step-up and step-down principles

  • Follow-up planning and personalized action plans

2. Management of Difficult-to-Treat Asthma in Children

Dr. Saja Mohammed Adil
Duration: 20 Minutes

Key Topics:

  • Re-evaluating the diagnosis (considering alternative conditions)

  • Identifying modifiable factors (inhaler technique, adherence, environmental exposure)

  • Addressing comorbidities

  • Defining true severe / steroid-resistant asthma

  • Referral criteria and advanced management concepts

3. Spirometry in Pediatric Practice

Dr. Mustafa Shihab Al-Anbaki
Duration: 20 Minutes

Key Topics:

  • Indications and limitations of spirometry

  • Performing high-quality spirometry in children

  • Clinical interpretation and application in practice

Hands-On Training Stations

To ensure mastery of clinical skills, the workshop features four interactive stations:
1. pMDI with Spacer: Led by Dr. Rula Hamid Abdul Hassan
2. Dry Powder Inhalers (DPI): Led by Dr. Saja Mohammed Adil
3. Nebulizer Therapy: Led by Dr. Sawsan Ali Hussein
4. Spirometry Interpretation: Led by Dr. Mustafa Shihab Al-Anbaki

Workshop Outcomes

After attending this workshop, participants will be able to:
• Perform accurate, age-appropriate diagnosis of childhood asthma.
• Apply stepwise, guideline-based management strategies.
• Demonstrate correct use of different inhaler devices.
• Interpret spirometry results confidently in clinical settings.
• Identify and avoid common diagnostic pitfalls in local practice.
• Improve asthma control, school attendance, and quality of life.

Conclusion 

This workshop provides a structured, interactive platform integrating updated international guidelines with
practical skills training to enhance the quality of pediatric asthma care in real-life clinical settings.

What Every Pediatrician Needs to Know Optimizing Pediatric Asthma: Guidelines, Gaps, and Gray Zones Workshop

 

  • Dr. Sawsan Ali Hussein
    Lecturer – Assistant professor in Pediatrics
    College of Medicine/ Mustansiriyiah University
    Pediatric pulmonology/ CWTH/ Medical City

  • Dr. Saja Mohammed Adil
    Arab Board Certified Pediatric Specialist
    Pediatric Pulmonology Specialty Trainee
    Children Welfare Teaching Hospital – Medical City
    Lecturer & Hands-On Training: Dry Powder Inhalers (DPI)

  • Dr. Rula Hamid Abdul-Hassan
    Pediatrician – Pediatric Pulmonology
    Children Welfare Teaching Hospital – Medical City
    Hands-On Training: pMDI with Spacer Technique

  • Dr. Mustafa Shihab Al-Anbaki
     Lecturer, Department of Pediatrics, College of Medicine, University of Baghdad.
    Consultant Pediatrician & Pediatric Pulmonologist, Children Welfare Teaching Hospital – Medical City, Baghdad.
     Active in clinical practice, medical education, and research, with special interest in pediatric asthma, allergy, and respiratory disorders.


Workshop Registration Notice

Please note that registration for the workshop is available only to participants who are already registered for the conference.
Kindly ensure that you have completed your registration for the 10th Iraqi Pediatric Society Conference before proceeding with the workshop registration.

We would also like to inform you that the workshop registration is free of charge for all registered conference participants

Workshop Registeration Form