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Effects of inhaled corticosteroids on growth in asthmatic children

K H Creese1, I J Doull

  • 1Cystic Fibrosis/Respiratory Unit, Department of Child Health, University Hospital of Wales, Cardiff CF14 4XW, UK.

Current Allergy and Asthma Reports
|March 20, 2002
PubMed

Insights

Inhaled corticosteroids (ICS) can suppress growth in children with asthma dose-dependently. However, these effects are temporary and do not impact final adult height at standard doses.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Pulmonology
  • Pediatric Endocrinology
  • Pharmacology

Background:

  • Asthma is a common chronic respiratory disease in children.
  • Inhaled corticosteroids (ICS) are the cornerstone of asthma management.
  • Concerns exist regarding the potential impact of ICS on childhood growth.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the effects of inhaled corticosteroids on growth in children with asthma.
  • To compare the growth-suppressive potential of different ICS.
  • To assess the long-term impact of ICS on final adult height.

Main Methods:

  • Review of existing literature on ICS and pediatric growth.
  • Analysis of dose-response relationships for growth suppression.
  • Evaluation of studies assessing final attained height in asthmatic children treated with ICS.

Main Results:

  • All available ICS demonstrate dose-dependent growth suppression in children.
  • Differences in growth-suppressive effects exist among various ICS.
  • Growth suppression is transient and does not affect final adult height at conventional doses.

Conclusions:

  • While ICS can temporarily slow growth, this effect is manageable.
  • The benefits of ICS in controlling asthma outweigh the transient growth effects.
  • Current evidence supports the safe use of ICS for long-term asthma management in children without compromising adult height.

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