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Growth retardation in children with chronic asthma in the absence of prolonged steroid therapy

H J Wittig, E T McLaughlin, J D Belloit

    Allergologia Et Immunopathologia
    |May 1, 1978
    PubMed

    Insights

    Children with chronic asthma, particularly boys, may experience lower height and weight compared to normal growth charts. This growth deficit in boys seems linked to delayed sexual maturation.

    Area of Science:

    • Pediatric Endocrinology
    • Pulmonology
    • Human Growth and Development

    Background:

    • Chronic asthma affects children's growth and development.
    • Previous research suggests potential links between asthma and growth retardation.
    • Understanding these effects is crucial for comprehensive patient care.

    Purpose of the Study:

    • To compare height and weight of children with chronic asthma to normal growth standards.
    • To investigate potential differences in growth patterns between boys and girls with asthma.
    • To explore the relationship between asthma onset and growth outcomes.

    Main Methods:

    • Height and weight measurements were collected from 380 boys and 219 girls aged 4-20 with chronic asthma.
    • Data were compared against National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS) Growth Charts.
    • Patients were not on prolonged steroid therapy.

    Main Results:

    • Boys with chronic asthma showed significantly lower height (P<0.005) and weight (P<0.01) compared to NCHS norms.
    • Growth deficits in boys improved with age, reaching normal values by 19-20 years.
    • Average height percentiles for boys with early-onset asthma (0-2 years) were at the 25th percentile.
    • Girls with chronic asthma did not exhibit significant growth differences compared to norms.
    • Growth retardation in asthmatic boys appeared correlated with delayed sexual maturation.

    Conclusions:

    • Chronic asthma is associated with reduced height and weight in boys, potentially linked to delayed puberty.
    • Growth patterns in asthmatic girls are not significantly impacted.
    • Early intervention and monitoring of growth in asthmatic boys may be beneficial.

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