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Published on: November 4, 2010
Role of budesonide as maintenance therapy for children with asthma
Stanley Szefler1, Søren Pedersen
1Department of Pediatrics, National Jewish Medical and Research Center, Denver, Colorado, USA. szeflers@njc.org
Insights
Inhaled corticosteroids, like budesonide, are the top choice for managing persistent asthma due to their anti-inflammatory effects. Budesonide is well-studied for childhood asthma, showing a good safety record in young children.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Pulmonology
- Allergy and Immunology
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Asthma is a chronic airway inflammatory disease.
- Persistent asthma requires long-term control medication.
- Inhaled corticosteroids (ICS) are the preferred treatment for persistent asthma.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the role of inhaled budesonide in childhood asthma management.
- To highlight the efficacy and safety profile of inhaled budesonide in pediatric populations.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of studies on inhaled corticosteroids in asthma.
- Focus on budesonide's characterization and use in children.
- Analysis of safety and efficacy data for budesonide in pediatric asthma.
Main Results:
- Inhaled corticosteroids are effective anti-inflammatory agents for asthma control.
- Inhaled budesonide is extensively studied and characterized for childhood asthma.
- Budesonide is approved for children as young as six months with a favorable safety profile.
Conclusions:
- Inhaled budesonide is a well-established and safe treatment option for persistent asthma in children.
- The anti-inflammatory properties of ICS, particularly budesonide, are crucial for long-term asthma management in pediatric patients.
Abstract:
Asthma is a chronic inflammatory disease of the airways. Inhaled corticosteroids are recognized as the preferred long-term control medication for persistent asthma based on their anti-inflammatory properties and significant evidence of efficacy. Inhaled budesonide is the most carefully characterized inhaled corticosteroid for childhood asthma. It is available for administration in children down to six months of age and to date has an excellent safety profile.
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