The effect of inhaled steroids on the linear growth of children with asthma: a meta-analysis.
OBJECTIVE
To determine whether inhaled steroid therapy causes delayed linear growth in children with asthma.


METHODS
Medline (1966-1998), Embase (1980-1998), and Cinahl (1982-1998) databases and bibliographies of included studies were searched for randomized, controlled trials of inhaled steroid therapy in children with asthma that evaluated linear growth.


METHODS
Studies were included if they met the following criteria: subjects 0 to 18 years of age with the clinical diagnosis of asthma; subjects randomized to inhaled beclomethasone, budesonide, flunisolide, fluticasone, or triamcinolone versus a nonsteroidal inhaled control for a minimum of 3 months; single- or double-blind; and outcome convertible to linear growth velocity. English- and non-English-language trials were included.


METHODS
Data were extracted using a priori guidelines. Methodologic quality was assessed independently by both authors. Outcome was extracted as linear growth velocity.


RESULTS
Included trials were subgrouped by inhaled steroid. The beclomethasone subgroup, with 4 studies and 450 subjects, showed a decrease in linear growth velocity of 1.51 cm/year (95% confidence interval: 1.15,1.87). The fluticasone subgroup, with 1 study and 183 subjects, showed a decrease in linear growth velocity of.43 cm/year (95% confidence interval:.01,.85). Sensitivity analysis in the beclomethasone subgroup, which evaluated study quality, mode of medication delivery, control medication, and statistical model, showed similar results.


CONCLUSIONS
This meta-analysis suggests that moderate doses of beclomethasone and fluticasone in children with mild to moderate asthma cause a decrease in linear growth velocity of 1.51 cm/year and.43 cm/year, respectively. The effects of inhaled steroids when given for >54 weeks, or on final adult height, remain unknown.
Sharek
P J
PJ
Division of General Pediatrics, Department of Pediatrics, Stanford University School of Medicine, Palo Alto, CA 94304, USA. psharek@leland.stanford.edu
Bergman
D A
DA
D000280:Administration, Inhalation; D000293:Adolescent; D000730:Androstadienes / Q000008:administration & dosage; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage; D001249:Asthma / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology*; D001507:Beclomethasone / Q000008:administration & dosage; D001827:Body Height / Q000187:drug effects*; D019819:Budesonide / Q000008:administration & dosage; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005446:Fluocinolone Acetonide / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000031:analogs & derivatives; D000068298:Fluticasone; D006128:Growth / Q000187:drug effects; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D013256:Steroids / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D014221:Triamcinolone / Q000008:administration & dosage
D000730:Androstadienes; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents; D013256:Steroids; D005446:Fluocinolone Acetonide; D014221:Triamcinolone; D019819:Budesonide; C007734:flunisolide; D000068298:Fluticasone; D001507:Beclomethasone