Prolonged use of disodium cromoglycate in children and young persons--ten years experience

Before the introduction of disodium cromoglycate (DSCG) in 1966 the assortment of effective anti-asthmatic medication, at least in pediatrics, was alarmingly poor. The first test results with DSCG in 1968 showed a clinical and functional improvement of childhood asthma in comparison with placebo. It proved possible gradually to reduce the daily steroid dosage, sometimes to complete withdrawal as was seen in the case of 44 severe asthmatic children who participated in this trial. Today, 10 years later, about 50% are still regularly using DSCG as their only treatment. At the height of the pollen season DSCG was found to be most effective in the treatment of pollen asthma in children. As in any other medical treatment, there were also some patients who did not respond well to DSCG. In 25% of a population of asthma children DSCG was ineffective. Urine samples proved--contrary to parents' statement--that DSCG was not always being inhaled. Atopic asthmatic subjects with raised levels of IgE but normal levels of IgG4 showed the best response to DSCG. Up to the present the author's experience is based on 744 children treated with DSCG. Most of them get over their asthma or their condition improves critically within a few weeks. Under treatment over a long period the children's growth improves, they sleep better and attend school normally. Hence it cannot be denied that DSCG markedly improves the quality of life for asthma children.