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The effect on growth of childhood asthma
Insights
Childhood asthma can delay growth, particularly in severe cases, with effects most noticeable by age 14. However, most children achieve normal height and weight by early adulthood, though persistent asthma and steroid use can prolong growth delays.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Pulmonology
- Growth and Development Studies
- Asthma Research
Background:
- Childhood asthma is a prevalent condition affecting respiratory health.
- The impact of asthma on physical growth has been a subject of ongoing research.
- Understanding growth patterns in asthmatic children is crucial for monitoring their overall health.
Purpose of the Study:
- To prospectively examine the long-term effects of asthma on growth from childhood to early adulthood.
- To investigate the influence of asthma severity and corticosteroid treatment on growth trajectories.
- To determine if asthma-related growth suppression is permanent or reversible.
Main Methods:
- A prospective study followed 342 randomly selected children with a spectrum of childhood wheezing from age 7 to 21 years.
- Growth parameters (height and weight) were monitored over the study period.
- Asthma severity and oral corticosteroid use were recorded and analyzed in relation to growth data.
Main Results:
- Growth suppression was observed starting at age 10 in more severely affected children, peaking at age 14.
- Children with persistent asthma experienced growth delays, even without oral steroid therapy.
- Growth delay was more pronounced in children receiving oral corticosteroids, especially those with frequent episodic asthma.
Conclusions:
- Asthma can cause temporary growth delays in children, with the most significant effects seen during adolescence.
- While most asthmatic children catch up in growth by age 21, persistent asthma and oral steroid use can exacerbate and prolong these delays.
- These findings highlight the importance of monitoring growth in children with asthma, considering both disease activity and treatment effects.
Abstract:
The effect on growth of asthma has been documented in a prospective study from age 7 to 21 years in a randomly selected group of 342 subjects. These subjects covered the whole spectrum of childhood wheezing. Growth suppression was first noted at 10 years of age in the more severely affected groups and was most marked at 14 years of age. By 21 years of age, all groups had achieved a height and weight not significantly different from control subjects. Growth delay occurred in children with more persistent asthma even if they had never received oral corticosteroid therapy but growth was more delayed in those receiving oral steroids. The effect of steroids was most significant in those with frequent episodic asthma whose asthma alone was probably not sufficiently severe to retard growth.