What is the impact of innovative electronic health interventions in improving treatment adherence in asthma? The pediatric perspective.

Suboptimal adherence to treatment is a significant issue in the management of pediatric asthma and is a major cause of uncontrolled disease, life-threatening attacks, and increased utilization of healthcare resources. Electronic health (e-Health) solutions have the potential to positively impact asthma self-management in children and adolescents and their families, thereby improving treatment adherence and asthma outcomes. However, there is a lack of sufficient data to support widespread adoption of e-Health tools in pediatric asthma practice. A critical evaluation of the impact of these new interventions on treatment adherence in childhood asthma must consider unmet needs, heterogeneity of trials, safety and data security issues, long-term effects, and cost-effectiveness. This article explores the most relevant issues facing the role of e-Health and its sub-category-mobile health (mHealth)-in promoting treatment adherence in childhood asthma, focusing on current evidence gaps and limitations, and future research perspectives.