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Preschool children with high adherence to inhaled corticosteroids for asthma do not show behavioural problems

Wouter Quak1, Ted Klok, Adrian A Kaptein

  • 1Princess Amalia Children's Clinic, Isala klinieken, GK Zwolle, The Netherlands.

Acta Paediatrica (Oslo, Norway : 1992)
|August 2, 2012
PubMed

Insights

Daily inhaled corticosteroids (ICS) for preschool children with asthma showed no increased risk of behavioral issues. Adherence to ICS treatment was high, with no link to behavioral problems in this study.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Pulmonology
  • Child Psychology
  • Pharmacology

Background:

  • Asthma is common in preschool children.
  • Inhaled corticosteroids (ICS) are a standard treatment for persistent asthma.
  • Concerns exist regarding potential behavioral side effects of ICS in young children.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To determine the prevalence of behavioral problems in preschool children with asthma.
  • To assess the association between electronically verified adherence to inhaled corticosteroids (ICS) and behavioral issues.
  • To compare behavioral problems in children with asthma using ICS to a healthy reference group.

Main Methods:

  • Cross-sectional study involving 81 children aged 2-5 years with persistent asthma on daily ICS.
  • Electronical logging device (Smartinhaler®) monitored ICS adherence over 3 months.
  • Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL 1.5-5) assessed behavioral problems, compared to a healthy reference group.

Main Results:

  • Median ICS adherence was 92%.
  • No significant difference in overall behavioral problems (total CBCL score) was found between children with asthma on ICS and the reference group.
  • Children with asthma showed more somatic complaints and fewer anxious/depressive symptoms compared to controls. No significant correlation between ICS adherence and CBCL scores.

Conclusions:

  • Daily maintenance treatment with ICS for preschool children with asthma, when taken as prescribed, is not linked to an increased risk of behavioral problems.
  • The findings support the safety of ICS for managing pediatric asthma regarding behavioral outcomes.
Abstract

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