We are proud to be one of a small group of health care providers to offer biologic agents to better control your asthma. These are injections that are given every few weeks and are add-on therapy for children whose moderate to severe asthma is not well controlled with their current asthma medicine. The addition of these medications to your current plan has shown to decrease the use of systemic steroids and reduce the frequency and severity of asthma attacks. Depending on your symptoms and the results of your child’s blood work, one of the following may be right for you.
Xolair (omalizumab) is a monoclonal antibody that is approved for children 6 years and older. It is an injection used for Moderate to Severe Asthma with an Elevated IgE. It is also FDA approved for Chronic Urticaria and Eosinophilic Esophagitis. It has shown improvement in Atopic Dermatitis and Allergic Rhinitis, resulting in fewer episodes of Sinusitis.
Nucala (mepolizumab) is an interleukin-5 antagonist monoclonal antibody that is approved for children ages 12 and older. It is an injection that is indicated for Severe Asthma with an elevated eosinophil count. It works by binding to IL-5 and blocking it from binding to the IL-5 receptor complex that is expressed on the eosinophil cell surface.
Fasenra (benralizumab) is a monoclonal antibody that is approved for children ages 12 and older. It is an injection that is used to treat Severe Eosinophilic Asthma. It works by directly binding to the alpha subunit of the IL-5 receptor, which recruits natural killer cells to attack eosinophils. Too many eosinophils can lead to inflammation in your lungs. Reducing the number of blood eosinophils will help decrease airway inflammation, therefore leading to better control of your child’s asthma.
Our Services Include:
- Pulmonary function testing, including Spirometry
- Lung volume determinations
- Single breath defusing capacity
- Six minute walk testing
- Bronchial provocation challenge testing
- Methacholine testing for diagnosis of Asthma
- Exhaled Nitric Oxide test
- Xolair Injections
- Bronchoscopy performed at Yale New Haven Hospital
- Do you need just a Pulmonary Function Test? We do them right in our Branford Office, and there are No Facility Fees
Our practice specializes in the care of children from birth to young adulthood with respiratory (lung) problems including but not limited to:
- Asthma including exercise induced shortness of breath
- Bronchopulmonary dysplasia
- Cystic fibrosis
- Recurrent and persistent pneumonias
- Unusual respiratory infections
- Aerodigestive disorders
- Immune deficiencies
- Primary Ciliary Dyskinesia
- Ventilator Dependent Patients
- Congenial lung malformations
- Neuromuscular disorders leading to chronic lung problems
- Interstitial lung disease
- Apnea
- Exercise related disorders