Pediatric Asthma Treatment Program

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Lurie Children’s treats more children with asthma than any other area hospital or medical center. Our experts provide thorough evaluation and comprehensive testing for asthma and its possible triggers. Our goal is to work with families to help minimize the effect of asthma on children by creating treatment plans to prevent symptoms and effectively respond to symptoms when they occur.


About Asthma

Asthma can cause your child’s airways to become inflamed, swollen and irritated. The muscles around the airways tighten, making it difficult for air to get in and out. Watch this video for more information about what asthma is and its causes. Learn more about asthma, its causes and how to properly use treatment devices.

The Lurie Children's Difference

We take a family-centered approach to care and believe the best results occur when the parents, child and healthcare provider work together, each sharing their area of knowledge to help diagnose and manage your child’s asthma. Partnering with your family helps us to best understand your child’s asthma and its triggers. Knowing your child and your family allows us to better help you.

Working together, we can create a home management plan to help your child stay healthy and lead an active lifestyle. Education is an important element of the plan, and we help you prepare all caregivers to respond to symptoms when necessary.

Asthma Doctors & Specialists

Our integrated team includes physicians, pediatric nurse practitioners and pediatric nursing staff to care for children with asthma.

Rajesh Kumar, MD

Interim Division Head, Allergy & Immunology

Aisha Ahmed, MD

Attending Physician, Allergy & Immunology

Sarah M. Boudreau-Romano, MD

Attending Physician, Allergy & Immunology

Timothy J. Brown, MD

Attending Physician, Allergy & Immunology

Linda F. Federer, APRN-NP, FNP

Family Nurse Practitioner, Allergy & Immunology

Anna B. Fishbein, MD

Attending Physician, Allergy & Immunology

Fatima Khan, MD

Attending Physician, Allergy & Immunology

Cynthia J. Lerner, MD

Member, Children's Community Physicians Association

Elizabeth Lippner, MD

Attending Physician, Allergy & Immunology

Melanie M. Makhija, MD

Attending Physician, Allergy & Immunology

Sai R. Nimmagadda, MD

Attending Physician, Allergy & Immunology

Nashmia Qamar, DO, MSCI

Attending Physician, Allergy & Immunology

High-Risk Asthma Clinic

The High-Risk Asthma Program has been developed for patients with especially severe asthma that has been difficult to control. The program involves a multidisciplinary team that helps to address treatment barriers and other conditions that can make your child’s asthma worse. If your child’s provider feels your child would benefit from this type of appointment, we will refer you to our High-Risk Asthma Clinic. The High-Risk Asthma Program at Lurie Children's is led by Avani V. Shah, MD, Attending Physician, Pulmonary Medicine. Dr. Shah is board-certified in pediatric pulmonology and pediatrics. The program also includes pediatric pulmonologist Maria L. Dowell, MD; pulmonary APN Emily R. Simmons, APRN-NP; and pediatric allergist Sai Nimmagadda, MD.

Make an Appointment

We offer easy online scheduling for your child's allergy and immunology needs. 

Current Research Studies

PrecISE

We are looking for teenagers (ages 12 years and older) who have severe or exacerbation prone asthma to take part in a research study aimed at understanding how to treat different types of severe asthma by using precision medicine. 

Learn More