title: The influence of inhaled fluticasone on bone metabolism and calciuria in asthmatic children.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Inhaled corticosteroids have become the first-line medication for treatment of childhood asthma. Possible adverse effects, such as those on bone metabolism and urinary excretion of calcium are in the focus of interest. We investigated the influence of inhaled fluticasone on bone metabolism and renal excretion of calcium, sodium, and potassium in asthmatic children.
  
  
  METHODS
  Thirty asthmatic patients (mean age 12.24 ± 2.75 years) treated with 200-250 μg/day inhaled fluticasone were enrolled in the study. Prior to the initiation of therapy, as well as 12 weeks after following parameters were measured: serum sodium, potassium, calcium, phosphorus, creatinine, alkaline phosphatase, osteocalcin, intact parathyroid hormone levels, first-spot morning urine calcium/creatinine ratio, sodium/potassium ratio, and daily renal calcium excretion rate.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Serum electrolytes, alkaline phosphatase, parathyroid hormone, osteocalcin levels, as well as urinary calcium, sodium, and potassium excretion were within normal ranges. There was no statistical difference between values of those parameters prior and 12 weeks after initiation of the therapy.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Treatment with 200-250 μg/day inhaled fluticasone, in asthmatic children aged 9-16, during 12 weeks, did not affect serum osteocalcin level and renal excretion of calcium, sodium, and potassium.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pulmology, Institute for Child and Youth Health Care of Vojvodina, Novi Sad, Serbia.
authors.forename: Radmila
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Ljuština-Pribić
authors.forename: Vesna
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Stojanović
authors.forename: Slobodanka
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Petrović
mesh_terms: D000280:Administration, Inhalation; D000293:Adolescent; D000730:Androstadienes / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001249:Asthma / Q000188:drug therapy*; D001842:Bone and Bones / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D002118:Calcium / Q000652:urine; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D000068298:Fluticasone; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D015675:Osteocalcin / Q000097:blood / Q000187:drug effects; D011188:Potassium / Q000652:urine; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012964:Sodium / Q000652:urine
chemical_list: D000730:Androstadienes; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents; D015675:Osteocalcin; D012964:Sodium; D000068298:Fluticasone; D011188:Potassium; D002118:Calcium