title: Limitations of maintenance therapy for viral respiratory infection-induced asthma.
abstract: In asthmatic children with persistent symptoms, maintenance therapy with nedocromil sodium, inhaled corticosteroids, or montelukast is associated with a decreased rate of asthma exacerbations. The greatest benefit is seen with use of regular inhaled corticosteroids in preschool- or school-age children, in whom asthma exacerbations, the need for rescue oral corticosteroids, unscheduled urgent medical visits, and hospitalizations are all decreased by approximately 50%. However, maintenance therapy is not beneficial in children with intermittent respiratory virus-induced wheezing without persistent symptoms.
authors.affiliation: Cystic Fibrosis/Respiratory Unit, Department of Child Health, University Hospital of Wales, Cardiff, Wales. doullij@:cf.ac.uk
authors.forename: Iolo J M
authors.initials: IJ
authors.lastname: Doull
mesh_terms: D000208:Acute Disease; D000280:Administration, Inhalation; D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000318:Adrenergic beta-Agonists / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D018927:Anti-Asthmatic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001249:Asthma / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000821:virology*; D002648:Child; D003139:Common Cold / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000821:virology; D005938:Glucocorticoids / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D020024:Leukotriene Antagonists / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D012135:Respiratory Sounds; D012141:Respiratory Tract Infections / Q000150:complications* / Q000821:virology*
chemical_list: D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones; D000318:Adrenergic beta-Agonists; D018927:Anti-Asthmatic Agents; D005938:Glucocorticoids; D020024:Leukotriene Antagonists