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Inhaled Corticosteroids Adverse Events In Asthmatic Children: A Review
Saad Alotaibi1, Farhan Alshammari
1Pediatric Respiratory Specialist, Farwanyah Hospital, Kuwait.
Insights
Inhaled corticosteroids are essential for managing persistent childhood asthma, offering proven safety and efficacy. Proper parent education and correct inhaler technique are key to effective asthma control and preventing adverse events.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Pulmonology
- Pharmacology
- Respiratory Medicine
Background:
- Asthma is a prevalent chronic respiratory condition in children.
- Inhaled corticosteroids (ICS) are a cornerstone therapy for persistent childhood asthma.
- Prevalence rates of childhood asthma symptoms vary globally, with higher rates noted in Australia, New Zealand, and England.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the safety, mechanism of action, and adverse events of inhaled corticosteroids (ICS) in children.
- To provide evidence-based recommendations for the optimal use of ICS in pediatric asthma management.
Main Methods:
- Comprehensive literature review and analysis of relevant studies.
- Examination of data concerning ICS efficacy, safety profiles, and potential adverse effects in pediatric and adult populations.
Main Results:
- Inhaled corticosteroids (ICS) are established as the primary treatment for persistent asthma in children.
- Published literature confirms the safety and effectiveness of ICS therapy.
- Parental education on asthma and ICS significantly enhances treatment outcomes.
Conclusions:
- Inhaled corticosteroids (ICS) are the mainstay for persistent pediatric asthma.
- Correct inhalation techniques, including the use of spacers and appropriate inhaler devices (e.g., Turbuhaler, Diskus), are crucial.
- Minimizing ICS dosage to the lowest effective level and employing proper techniques can prevent adverse events and ensure optimal asthma control.
Abstract:
BACKGROUND: Inhaled corticosteroids (ICS) have an important role in the treatment of chronic asthma in children. The prevalence of asthma symptoms in children varies from 0 to 30 percent in different populations with the highest prevalence occurring in Australia, New Zealand and England. METHODS: A review of the literature and studies about inhaled corticosteroids safety, action and adverse events in children and adults where applicable was done. CONCLUSION: Inhaled corticosteroids are the main stay therapy for persistent asthma in children. Their safety and efficacy is proven from the literature. Proper education of the parents about asthma and inhaled corticosteroids is very important and improve asthma control. Keeping in mind to taper the inhaled corticosteroids to the lowest dose needed to control asthma and using correct inhalation technique by the use of spacers with metered dose inhalers or dry powder inhalers (Turbuhaler and Diskus) will prevent the occurrence of adverse events.
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