Hello,
Thank you for asking at HCM.
i went through your son's history and would like to make suggestions for your son as follows:
1. First of all, I would like to mention here that
childhood asthma is very different from adult asthma. Any
blood test cannot diagnose or rule out asthma.
Of course, blood tests can diagnose allergies, which may be one of the causes for asthma.
2. Asthma is best diagnosed by
spirometry with post-
bronchodilator reversibility testing. However, usually children below 5-6 years find it very difficult to perform such test perfectly. Hence, diagnosis of asthma at 4 years of age remains more or less of a judgment of the doctor. Detailed history of all the symptoms since infancy as well as physical examination is required for proper diagnosis.
3. Regarding left
rib cage swelling, I would like to know its exact location, how it appeared, when appeared, whether painful, hard, soft, moving, etc details.
4. If it is painful, I would first rule out
rib fracture as your child has
cough for last one year. An opinion from orthopedic surgeon and an X-ray will be helpful.
5. If it is not painful, there are many possibilities. Hence I would suggest you to get him examined by his doctor and then decide further.
Hope above suggestions will be helpful to you.
Should you have any further query, please feel free to ask at HCM.
Wish your child the best of the health ahead.
Thank you & Regards.