title: Bone mineral density in prepubertal asthmatics receiving corticosteroid treatment.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To examine whether bone mass is reduced in prepubertal, asthmatics receiving high doses of inhaled corticosteroids.
  
  
  METHODS
  A cross-sectional comparison of lumbar spine-bone mineral density (LS-BMD) was undertaken in 76 subjects after stratifying them according to dosage and administration route of corticosteroid.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Weight was the only independent predictor of LS-BMD (r(2) = 0.38). Children receiving greater than 800 microg/day of inhaled corticosteroid plus intermittent oral corticosteroid had a significantly lower weight-adjusted LS-BMD than children treated with 400-800 microg/day of inhaled corticosteroid (mean difference: 0.06 g/cm(2), 95% confidence interval (CI): - 0.02 to - 0.10). A significant difference in weight-adjusted LS-BMD persisted when all children receiving greater than 800 microg/day of inhaled corticosteroid, irrespective of additional oral corticosteroid treatment, were compared with children receiving 400-800 microg/day of inhaled corticosteroid (mean difference: - 0.05 g/cm(2), 95%CI interval: -0.02 to - 0.09). Bone mass was similar in children not receiving any inhaled corticosteroid and those treated with 400-800 microg/day of inhaled corticosteroid.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  A reduced bone mass in prepubertal asthmatic children receiving high doses of inhaled corticosteroids may predetermine a compromised peak bone mass and increase osteoporotic fracture risk in adulthood.
authors.affiliation: Department of Endocrinology, Sydney Children's Hospital, Randwick, New South Wales, Australia.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Harris
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Hauser
authors.forename: T V
authors.initials: TV
authors.lastname: Nguyen
authors.forename: P J
authors.initials: PJ
authors.lastname: Kelly
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Rodda
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Morton
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Freezer
authors.forename: B J
authors.initials: BJ
authors.lastname: Strauss
authors.forename: J A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Eisman
authors.forename: J L
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Walker
mesh_terms: D015502:Absorptiometry, Photon; D000280:Administration, Inhalation; D000284:Administration, Oral; D000367:Age Factors; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D001249:Asthma / Q000188:drug therapy*; D015519:Bone Density / Q000187:drug effects*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D005260:Female; D005938:Glucocorticoids / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D016014:Linear Models; D008159:Lumbar Vertebrae / Q000187:drug effects*; D008297:Male; D011239:Prednisolone / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use
chemical_list: D005938:Glucocorticoids; D011239:Prednisolone