Short-term growth in asthmatic children using fluticasone propionate.
BACKGROUND
Inhaled corticosteroids may reduce short-term growth velocity in asthmatic children and knemometry is the most sensitive tool to detect this short-term growth suppression.


OBJECTIVE
To compare lower leg growth velocity, as measured by knemometry, in asthmatic children during and after treatment with inhaled fluticasone propionate (FP), 100 microg twice daily.


METHODS
Nonrandomized open trial.


METHODS
University hospital, outpatient clinic for pediatric pulmonology.


METHODS
Twenty-one asthmatic children (13 boys), aged 6 to 10 years.


METHODS
Inhalation of FP from a dry powder inhaler, 100 microg, twice daily for 6 weeks, followed by 2 weeks during which only an inhaled beta2-agonist was used on demand (washout). During treatment and washout periods, patients were seen every 2 weeks at the same time of day.


RESULTS
Lower leg growth velocity measured by knemometry during FP treatment was not significantly different from that during washout (p=0.33, one-way analysis of variance).


CONCLUSIONS
No significant suppression of lower leg growth velocity was found in prepubertal asthmatic children using FP, 100 microg, by dry powder inhaler twice daily for 6 weeks.
Visser
M J
MJ
Department of Pediatric Pulmonology, Beatrix Children's Hospital, University Hospital Groningen, The Netherlands.
van Aalderen
W M
WM
Elliott
B M
BM
Odink
R J
RJ
Brand
P L
PL
D000280:Administration, Inhalation; D000287:Administration, Topical; D000730:Androstadienes / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D018927:Anti-Asthmatic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001249:Asthma / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D000068298:Fluticasone; D005938:Glucocorticoids; D006128:Growth / Q000187:drug effects*; D006801:Humans; D007866:Leg / Q000254:growth & development; D008297:Male
D000730:Androstadienes; D018927:Anti-Asthmatic Agents; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents; D005938:Glucocorticoids; D000068298:Fluticasone