A child with asthma is evaluated and shows symptoms three days a week. How should the asthma be classified?

The classification of asthma is based on the frequency of symptoms, nighttime awakenings, and the impact on daily activities. In this case, a child experiencing symptoms three days a week falls under the category of mild persistent asthma.

Mild persistent asthma is characterized by symptoms occurring more than twice a week but not daily, and nighttime symptoms occurring three to four times a month. This classification indicates that while the child experiences regular symptoms, they are not frequent enough to qualify as moderate persistent asthma, which has more constant symptoms and greater disruption to daily life.

In contrast, intermittent asthma would denote symptoms occurring only occasionally, while moderate persistent asthma would indicate symptoms occurring on most days or nightly awakenings more frequently. Severe persistent asthma entails daily symptoms that can significantly limit physical activities. Thus, the characteristics of the child's symptoms align neatly with the definition of mild persistent asthma.