As the new school year gets underway, the Asthma and Respiratory Foundation NZ is advising parents and educators to be prepared for return to school asthma flare ups.

'Return to school asthma flare ups are well-documented both in New Zealand and overseas,” says the Asthma and Respiratory Foundation NZ's Scientific Advisory Board member, respiratory paediatrician Dr David McNamara.

'Research shows asthma hospitalisations for Kiwi children peak in the early weeks of each term, with the greatest peak occurring in weeks three and four of Term 1.

'Surprisingly, the rate of hospitalisations at this time of year is greater than during winter months for children under 14 years,” says David.

International studies identify several possible factors for this increased risk, including exposure to different allergens and new viruses in the school environment, plus changes in emotions like stress and anxiety that can be triggers for asthma.

David encourages parents to take action now to reduce the risk of return to school asthma. 'Now is the time to check that you have the inhalers you need, spacers and an up-to-date Asthma Action Plan.

'Get your child into the habit of regularly using their preventer and make sure they take their reliever inhaler with them to school.”

Action plans are essential self-management documents outlining how to recognise and respond to worsening symptoms of asthma. The foundation recommends all children with asthma have a plan, and this is shared with their child's school and class teacher.

The foundation also encourages schools to have an Asthma Emergency Kit and be informed on how to respond to asthma emergencies. 'With one in eight Kiwi kids living with asthma, it is vital that educators know what to do in an asthma emergency,” says foundation chief executive Letitia Harding.

The foundation has free resources for parents and educators including an online Parent/Educator toolkit, a digital asthma classroom in te reo Māori and English, and a Back-to-School checklist for families. See: www.asthmafoundation.org.nz