A mum from Anglesey has spoken about the concerns of returning to school and autumn weather on children with asthma.

As schools return this week, leading health charity, Asthma + Lung UK Cymru, is urging parents and teachers to take steps to protect children with asthma due to a higher risk of asthma attacks and hospitalisation.

Digital Health and Social Care Wales data shows hospital admissions for children aged five to 19 in Wales almost triple (175 per cent) in September when children return to school, compared to August.

It also showed that asthma admissions for children are rising to pre-pandemic levels.

Branwen Niclas' eight-year-old son Huw, was diagnosed with asthma in 2023, after being hospitalised in 2022 after struggling to breathe with a chest infection.

The Anglesey resident said: "The autumn and winter school term is always a worry. Cold and wet weather really affects Huw’s asthma, and he often misses out on playing football with his friends."

Huw in hospitalHuw in hospital (Image: Asthma & Lung UK Charity)

Ms Niclas told how he had a really bad attack in December 2022 in school and staff acted quickly and contacted Ms Niclas. Huw was given antibiotics but wasn't able to go back to school until the following week.

Ms Niclas added: "Huw has been hospitalised with his asthma, including October half term last year. He has missed many school days due to him being unwell to attend.

"Knowing the school has his reliever inhaler on hand and are aware of his asthma plan makes me less anxious."

Joseph Carter, head of Asthma + Lung UK Cymru, said: "It is deeply worrying that children’s asthma admissions almost triple in Wales when children return to school.

"Children’s asthma admissions are the highest in four years and are returning to pre-pandemic levels. We must break this trend."

Mr Carter said that colds and flu viruses are two of the biggest culprits for the increase in admissions as these viruses circulate more from September due to children mixing after the summer break.

Asthma + Lung UK Cymru advises parents who have children with asthma returning to school to arrange for their child to have an asthma review, as this will help to pick up any early symptoms.

They should also check that their child’s written asthma action plan is up to date and has been shared with the school.

Parents should ensure older children can take their inhaler properly by themselves and are encouraged to check the school’s policy for needing to tell parents when an inhaler is used.

For further information on how to protect children with asthma when they return to school, parents can visit the Asthma + Lung UK Cymru website.