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Risk of varicella complications in children treated with inhaled steroids

Daniel Hervás1, Borja Osona, Carmen Masip

  • 1Department of Pediatrics, Son Dureta University Hospital, Mallorca, Spain. jhervashp@yahoo.es

The Pediatric Infectious Disease Journal
|December 11, 2008
PubMed

Insights

Inhaled steroids did not increase the risk of varicella complications in children. This study found similar hospitalization rates for children using inhaled steroids and the general pediatric population regarding chickenpox complications.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Pulmonology
  • Infectious Diseases
  • Pharmacovigilance

Background:

  • Varicella (chickenpox) is a common childhood illness.
  • Inhaled corticosteroids (ICS) are frequently prescribed for pediatric respiratory conditions.
  • Concerns exist regarding potential effects of ICS on varicella outcomes.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the association between inhaled corticosteroid use and the risk of varicella complications in children.
  • To compare hospitalization rates for varicella complications between children using ICS and those not using ICS.

Main Methods:

  • Retrospective study conducted in Mallorca, Spain, from 1995 to 2005.
  • Identified children hospitalized for varicella and assessed their prior ICS use.
  • Calculated and compared hospitalization rates and relative risk.

Main Results:

  • Only 1.4% of hospitalized varicella cases involved children using ICS.
  • Hospitalization rates for varicella complications were similar: 17/100,000 for ICS users vs. 18.2/100,000 for non-users.
  • Inhaled corticosteroids showed no statistically significant increase in varicella complication risk (Relative Risk = 0.94).

Conclusions:

  • Inhaled corticosteroid use in children does not appear to elevate the risk of varicella complications.
  • Findings suggest that ICS can be safely used in pediatric patients susceptible to varicella.
  • Further research could explore specific ICS types and varicella severity.

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