Linear growth of prepubertal asthmatic Thai children receiving long-term inhaled corticosteroids.
BACKGROUND
Long-term inhaled corticosteroids are recommended in persistent asthma in children. The aim of this study was to determine the growth rate of asthmatic Thai children who received long-term inhaled corticosteroids.


METHODS
This controlled clinical trial was carried out on 145 prepubertal asthmatic Thai children, 81 in the study group (the group who received long-term inhaled corticosteroids) and 64 in the control group.


RESULTS
The mean age of the patients when the study began was 5.9 years in the study group and 4.7 years in the control group. The average dose of inhaled corticosteroids used was 300 microg/day. The average duration overtime of inhaled corticosteroid usage was 2 years (9 months-5 years). The study showed that inhaled corticosteroids (300 microg/day for 9-60 months) have no significant effects on growth rate. From linear regression analysis, the factors that influenced the growth rate of asthmatic patients were the severity of the asthma and the age of the patients when nasal corticosteroids were started. Insulin-like Growth Factor 1 (IGF 1) and Insulin-like Growth Factor Binding Protein 3 (IGFBP 3), were measured in 7 patients in the study group and 5 in the control group. All were normal, the height standard deviation score (Ht.SDS) was below average.


CONCLUSIONS
The average dose of inhaled corticosteroids (300 microg/day for 9 months) has no significant effects on the growth rate of prepubertal asthmatic Thai children.
Visitsunthorn
Nualanong
N
Department of Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand.
Moungnoi
Pranee
P
Saengsiriwut
Aree
A
Wacharasindhu
Suttipong
S
D000280:Administration, Inhalation; D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D001249:Asthma / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy*; D001827:Body Height / Q000187:drug effects*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008134:Long-Term Care; D008297:Male; D012016:Reference Values; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D013785:Thailand
D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones