Linear growth and bone maturation are unaffected by 1 year of therapy with inhaled flunisolide hydrofluoroalkane in prepubescent children with mild persistent asthma: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial

A multicenter randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel-group study to evaluate the effects of a 1-year regimen of orally inhaled fluticasone furoate 50 µg once daily on growth velocity in prepubertal, pediatric participants with well-controlled asthma

INTRODUCTION

Growth impairment is a known adverse event (AE) of corticosteroids in children. This study aimed to assess the effect of once-daily (QD) inhaled fluticasone furoate (FF) versus placebo on growth velocity over 1 year in prepubertal children with well-controlled asthma.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

This randomized, double-blind, parallel-group, placebo-controlled, multicenter study (NCT02889809) included prepubertal children, aged 5 to <9 years (boys), and 5 to <8 years (girls), with ≥6 months' asthma history. Children received inhaled placebo QD plus background open-label montelukast QD for a 16-week run-in period and were then randomized 1:1 to receive inhaled FF 50 μg QD or placebo QD (whilst continuing background open-label montelukast) for a 52-week treatment period. The primary endpoint was the difference in growth velocity (cm/year) over the treatment period. Other growth endpoints were measured, as were incidence of AEs and asthma exacerbation. Growth analyses included all intent-to-treat (ITT) participants with ≥3 post-randomization, on-treatment clinic visit height assessments (GROWTH population).

RESULTS

Of 644 children in the run-in period, 477 (mean age 6.2 years, 63% male) entered the 52-week treatment period (ITT population: FF N = 238, placebo N = 239; GROWTH population: N = 457 [FF N = 231; placebo N = 226]). The least-squares mean difference in growth velocity for FF versus placebo was -0.160 cm/year (95% confidence interval: -0.462, 0.142). There were no new safety signals.

CONCLUSIONS

Over 1 year, FF 50 μg QD had a minimal effect on growth velocity versus placebo, with no new safety signals.

Is This Medication Safe for My Child? How to Discuss Safety of Commonly Used Medications With Parents

All drugs have potential side effects, but thoughtful use can maximize benefits while minimizing risks. Children should not be considered just small adults regarding drug safety because their growth and development are discordant with their ability to sense and self-report drug side effects. Detecting side effects requires vigilance and education from prescribers to parents, who are tasked with monitoring their child over time. A drug's safety profile is published in the package label after pivotal trials are conducted in relatively small and sometimes narrow segments of the population during the U.S. Food and Drug Administration approval process. Drug safety profiles can change as data from postmarketing reports and long-term monitoring during phase IV trials emerge. As such, prescribers are obligated to maintain current understanding of any changes to drug labels. Discussing potential side effects, monitoring, and when to report concerns can be a time-consuming process during patient encounters. This review offers current information regarding potential side effects of some of the most commonly used medications for allergic conditions, asthma, and atopic dermatitis. This information and discussion will hopefully assist clinicians in their conversations with parents, including advice surrounding prescribing medication to minimize adverse effects, parental monitoring, and documentation.

The safety of long-term use of inhaled corticosteroids in patients with asthma: A systematic review and meta-analysis

PURPOSE

This systematic review and meta-analysis was performed to determine the safety of long-term use of ICS in patients with asthma.

METHODS

A systematic search was made of PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, Cochrane Library, and clinicaltrials.gov, without language restrictions. Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) on treatment of asthma with ICS, compared with non-ICS treatment (placebo or other active drugs), were reviewed.

RESULTS

Eighty-six RCTs (enrolling 51,538 participants) met the inclusion criteria. Oral or oropharyngeal candidiasis (RR 2.58, 95% CI 2.00 to 3.33), and dysphonia/hoarseness (RR 1.56, 95% CI 1.31 to 1.85) were less frequent in the control group. There was no statistically significant difference in the risk of upper respiratory tract infection, lower respiratory tract infection, influenza, decline in bone mineral density, and fractures between the two groups.

CONCLUSION

In addition to the mild local adverse events, the long-term use of ICS was safe in patients with asthma.

Step-up and step-down treatments for optimal asthma control in children and adolescents

OBJECTIVE

To review therapeutic options for stepwise management of pediatric asthma in the context of this population's unique needs such as potential effects of asthma, treatments, or both on growth and psychosocial development, and caregiver involvement.

DATA SOURCES AND STUDY SELECTION

We conducted PubMed searches to identify relevant articles then reviewed resultant articles, guidelines for asthma management in children, and articles from personal files.

RESULTS

Stepwise management of asthma, similar to adults, is recommended for children in current global and US guidelines. Treatment may be stepped up or stepped down temporarily or long-term based on response over time. Inhaled corticosteroids remain the recommended treatment for persistent childhood asthma and any potential small effects on growth are considered relatively minor compared with their benefit. Controller medication options for patients <18 years old are limited, especially for Global Initiative for Asthma Steps 2-5. The long-acting antimuscarinic antagonist tiotropium (Steps 4/5, patients aged ≥12 years) and in certain circumstances (Step 5), anti-immunoglobulin E (aged ≥6 years) and interleukin-5 antibodies (aged ≥12 years) are newer treatment options. Tiotropium is indicated in the United States and Europe for patients ≥6 years old. Stepping down treatment, which is recommended but infrequently practiced, can maintain symptom control and minimize adverse events while substantially reducing costs. Patient education and better monitoring remain important for self-management and optimum outcomes.

CONCLUSION

A need exists to target individual treatment goals for children with asthma by using step-up and step-down approaches to maximize treatment benefits and minimize potential adverse effects.

Benefits and Risks of Long-Term Asthma Management in Children: Where Are We Heading?

International guidelines provide recommendations for a stepwise approach to the management of asthma in children 0-4 years old, 5-11 years old, and adolescents who are treated as adults. Therapy is aimed at two domains of control: current impairment and future risk. The long-term controller medications, inhaled corticosteroids (ICSs), ICSs in combination with long-acting β₂ agonists, leukotriene receptor antagonists, and immunomodulators, exhibit different efficacies for these domains. The risk:benefit ratios of the available medications need to be carefully assessed. This review briefly presents the benefits and the potential risks of available asthma medications in children to assist the practitioner in the optimal use of asthma medications. Specifically, the systemic activity of the ICSs and how to minimize their effects on growth and adrenal activity are reviewed as well as other potential adverse effects. Dosing strategies such as intermittent therapy are also assessed.

Inhaled corticosteroids: Effects on growth and bone health

BACKGROUND

Both slowed growth in children and reduced bone mineral density (BMD) are systemic effects of corticosteroids, and there is concern about the degree to which these systemic effects affect growth and BMD.

OBJECTIVE

To engage in a data-driven discussion of the effects of inhaled corticosteroids (ICSs) on growth in children and BMD.

METHODS

Articles were selected based on their relevance to this review.

RESULTS

Studies of ICSs in children in which growth was a secondary outcome have revealed slowed growth associated with low doses of budesonide, fluticasone propionate, and beclomethasone dipropionate. In the study of budesonide, the effect was permanent, and in the study of fluticasone propionate, the effect was long-lasting, but it is unclear whether the effect was permanent. However, the results of studies in which growth was the primary outcome were mixed. Slowed growth was detected in a study of beclomethasone dipropionate; however, slowed growth was not detected in a study of ciclesonide or flunisolide. A decrease in BMD acquisition in children was associated with high doses but not low to medium doses of ICSs. In adults, there was a dose-related effect of ICSs on BMD. Both higher daily dose and larger cumulative dose were associated with increased bone density loss.

CONCLUSION

Because of the systemic effects on growth and bone health, children should be monitored for growth using stadiometry every 3 to 6 months and BMD should be monitored yearly in patients being treated with high doses of ICSs.

The use of inhaled corticosteroids in pediatric asthma: update

Despite the availability of several formulations of inhaled corticosteroids (ICS) and delivery devices for treatment of childhood asthma and despite the development of evidence-based guidelines, childhood asthma control remains suboptimal. Improving uptake of asthma management plans, both by families and practitioners, is needed. Adherence to daily ICS therapy is a key determinant of asthma control and this mandates that asthma education follow a repetitive pattern and involve literal explanation and physical demonstration of the optimal use of inhaler devices. The potential adverse effects of ICS need to be weighed against the benefit of these drugs to control persistent asthma especially that its safety profile is markedly better than oral glucocorticoids. This article reviews the key mechanisms of inhaled corticosteroid action; recommendations on dosage and therapeutic regimens; potential optimization of effectiveness by addressing inhaler technique and adherence to therapy; and updated knowledge on the real magnitude of adverse events.

Impact of Inhaled Corticosteroids on Growth in Children with Asthma: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Background

Long-term inhaled corticosteroids (ICS) may reduce growth velocity and final height of children with asthma. We aimed to evaluate the association between ICS use of >12 months and growth.

Methods

We initially searched MEDLINE and EMBASE in July 2013, followed by a PubMed search updated to December 2014. We selected RCTs and controlled observational studies of ICS use in patients with asthma. We conducted random effects meta-analysis of mean differences in growth velocity (cm/year) or final height (cm) between groups. Heterogeneity was assessed using the I² statistic.

Results

We found 23 relevant studies (twenty RCTs and three observational studies) after screening 1882 hits. Meta-analysis of 16 RCTs showed that ICS use significantly reduced growth velocity at one year follow-up (mean difference -0.48 cm/year (95% CI -0.66 to -0.29)). There was evidence of a dose-response effect in three RCTs. Final adult height showed a mean reduction of -1.20 cm (95% CI -1.90 cm to -0.50 cm) with budesonide versus placebo in a high quality RCT. Meta-analysis of two lower quality observational studies revealed uncertainty in the association between ICS use and final adult height, pooled mean difference -0.85 cm (95% CI -3.35 to 1.65).

Conclusion

Use of ICS for >12 months in children with asthma has a limited impact on annual growth velocity. In ICS users, there is a slight reduction of about a centimeter in final adult height, which when interpreted in the context of average adult height in England (175 cm for men and 161 cm for women), represents a 0.7% reduction compared to non-ICS users.

Inhaled corticosteroids in children with persistent asthma: effects on growth

BACKGROUND

Treatment guidelines for asthma recommend inhaled corticosteroids (ICS) as first-line therapy for children with persistent asthma. Although ICS treatment is generally considered safe in children, the potential systemic adverse effects related to regular use of these drugs have been and continue to be a matter of concern, especially the effects on linear growth.

OBJECTIVES

To assess the impact of ICS on the linear growth of children with persistent asthma and to explore potential effect modifiers such as characteristics of available treatments (molecule, dose, length of exposure, inhalation device) and of treated children (age, disease severity, compliance with treatment).

SEARCH METHODS

We searched the Cochrane Airways Group Specialised Register of trials (CAGR), which is derived from systematic searches of bibliographic databases including CENTRAL, MEDLINE, EMBASE, CINAHL, AMED and PsycINFO; we handsearched respiratory journals and meeting abstracts. We also conducted a search of ClinicalTrials.gov and manufacturers' clinical trial databases to look for potential relevant unpublished studies. The literature search was conducted in January 2014.

SELECTION CRITERIA

Parallel-group randomised controlled trials comparing daily use of ICS, delivered by any type of inhalation device for at least three months, versus placebo or non-steroidal drugs in children up to 18 years of age with persistent asthma.

DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS

Two review authors independently performed study selection, data extraction and assessment of risk of bias in included studies. We conducted meta-analyses using the Cochrane statistical package RevMan 5.2 and Stata version 11.0. We used the random-effects model for meta-analyses. We used mean differences (MDs) and 95% CIs as the metrics for treatment effects. A negative value for MD indicates that ICS have suppressive effects on linear growth compared with controls. We performed a priori planned subgroup analyses to explore potential effect modifiers, such as ICS molecule, daily dose, inhalation device and age of the treated child.

MAIN RESULTS

We included 25 trials involving 8471 (5128 ICS-treated and 3343 control) children with mild to moderate persistent asthma. Six molecules (beclomethasone dipropionate, budesonide, ciclesonide, flunisolide, fluticasone propionate and mometasone furoate) given at low or medium daily doses were used during a period of three months to four to six years. Most trials were blinded and over half of the trials had drop out rates of over 20%. Compared with placebo or non-steroidal drugs, ICS produced a statistically significant reduction in linear growth velocity (14 trials with 5717 participants, MD -0.48 cm/y, 95% CI -0.65 to -0.30, moderate quality evidence) and in the change from baseline in height (15 trials with 3275 participants; MD -0.61 cm/y, 95% CI -0.83 to -0.38, moderate quality evidence) during a one-year treatment period. Subgroup analysis showed a statistically significant group difference between six molecules in the mean reduction of linear growth velocity during one-year treatment (Chi(2) = 26.1, degrees of freedom (df) = 5, P value < 0.0001). The group difference persisted even when analysis was restricted to the trials using doses equivalent to 200 μg/d hydrofluoroalkane (HFA)-beclomethasone. Subgroup analyses did not show a statistically significant impact of daily dose (low vs medium), inhalation device or participant age on the magnitude of ICS-induced suppression of linear growth velocity during a one-year treatment period. However, head-to-head comparisons are needed to assess the effects of different drug molecules, dose, inhalation device or patient age. No statistically significant difference in linear growth velocity was found between participants treated with ICS and controls during the second year of treatment (five trials with 3174 participants; MD -0.19 cm/y, 95% CI -0.48 to 0.11, P value 0.22). Of two trials that reported linear growth velocity in the third year of treatment, one trial involving 667 participants showed similar growth velocity between the budesonide and placebo groups (5.34 cm/y vs 5.34 cm/y), and another trial involving 1974 participants showed lower growth velocity in the budesonide group compared with the placebo group (MD -0.33 cm/y, 95% CI -0.52 to -0.14, P value 0.0005). Among four trials reporting data on linear growth after treatment cessation, three did not describe statistically significant catch-up growth in the ICS group two to four months after treatment cessation. One trial showed accelerated linear growth velocity in the fluticasone group at 12 months after treatment cessation, but there remained a statistically significant difference of 0.7 cm in height between the fluticasone and placebo groups at the end of the three-year trial. One trial with follow-up into adulthood showed that participants of prepubertal age treated with budesonide 400 μg/d for a mean duration of 4.3 years had a mean reduction of 1.20 cm (95% CI -1.90 to -0.50) in adult height compared with those treated with placebo.

AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS

Regular use of ICS at low or medium daily doses is associated with a mean reduction of 0.48 cm/y in linear growth velocity and a 0.61-cm change from baseline in height during a one-year treatment period in children with mild to moderate persistent asthma. The effect size of ICS on linear growth velocity appears to be associated more strongly with the ICS molecule than with the device or dose (low to medium dose range). ICS-induced growth suppression seems to be maximal during the first year of therapy and less pronounced in subsequent years of treatment. However, additional studies are needed to better characterise the molecule dependency of growth suppression, particularly with newer molecules (mometasone, ciclesonide), to specify the respective role of molecule, daily dose, inhalation device and patient age on the effect size of ICS, and to define the growth suppression effect of ICS treatment over a period of several years in children with persistent asthma.

PLAIN LANGUAGE SUMMARY

Do inhaled corticosteroids reduce growth in children with persistent asthma? Review question: We reviewed the evidence on whether inhaled corticosteroids (ICS) could affect growth in children with persistent asthma, that is, a more severe asthma that requires regular use of medications for control of symptoms.

BACKGROUND

Treatment guidelines for asthma recommend ICS as first-line therapy for children with persistent asthma. Although ICS treatment is generally considered safe in children, parents and physicians always remain concerned about the potential negative effect of ICS on growth. Search date: We searched trials published until January 2014. Study characteristics: We included in this review trials comparing daily use of corticosteroids, delivered by any type of inhalation device for at least three months, versus placebo or non-steroidal drugs in children up to 18 years of age with persistent asthma.

KEY RESULTS

Twenty-five trials involving 8471 children with mild to moderate persistent asthma (5128 treated with ICS and 3343 treated with placebo or non-steroidal drugs) were included in this review. Eighty percent of these trials were conducted in more than two different centres and were called multi-centre studies; five were international multi-centre studies conducted in high-income and low-income countries across Africa, Asia-Pacifica, Europe and the Americas. Sixty-eight percent were financially supported by pharmaceutical companies. Meta-analysis (a statistical technique that combines the results of several studies and provides a high level of evidence) suggests that children treated daily with ICS may grow approximately half a centimeter per year less than those not treated with these medications during the first year of treatment. The magnitude of ICS-related growth reduction may depend on the type of drug. Growth reduction seems to be maximal during the first year of therapy and less pronounced in subsequent years of treatment. Evidence provided by this review allows us to conclude that daily use of ICS can cause a small reduction in height in children up to 18 years of age with persistent asthma; this effect seems minor compared with the known benefit of these medications for asthma control.

QUALITY OF EVIDENCE

Eleven of 25 trials did not report how they guaranteed that participants had an equal chance of receiving ICS or placebo or non-steroidal drugs. All but six trials did not report how researchers were kept unaware of the treatment assignment list. However, this methodological limitation may not significantly affect the quality of evidence because the results remained almost unchanged when we excluded these trials from the analysis.

The effects of inhaled corticosteroids on growth in children

Inhaled corticosteroids (ICS) are recommended as the first-line therapy for children with persistent asthma. These agents are particularly effective in reducing underlying airway inflammation, improving lung function, decreasing airway hyper-reactivity, and reducing intensity of symptoms in asthmatics. Chronic diseases, such as asthma, have growth-suppressing effects independent of the treatment, which inevitably complicates growth studies. One year studies showed a small, dose-dependent effect of most ICS on childhood growth, with some differences across various ICS molecules, and across individual children. Some ICS at the doses studied did not affect childhood growth when rigorous study designs were used. Most studies did not conform completely with the FDA guidance. The data on effects of childhood ICS use on final adult height are conflicting, but one recent well-designed study showed such an effect, clearly warranting additional studies. In spite of these measurable effects of ICS on childhood growth, it is important to understand that the safety profile of all ICS preparations, with focal anti-inflammatory effects on the lung, is significantly better than oral glucocorticoids.

Inhaled corticosteroids in children with persistent asthma: effects on growth

BACKGROUND

Treatment guidelines for asthma recommend inhaled corticosteroids (ICS) as first-line therapy for children with persistent asthma. Although ICS treatment is generally considered safe in children, the potential systemic adverse effects related to regular use of these drugs have been and continue to be a matter of concern, especially the effects on linear growth.

OBJECTIVES

To assess the impact of ICS on the linear growth of children with persistent asthma and to explore potential effect modifiers such as characteristics of available treatments (molecule, dose, length of exposure, inhalation device) and of treated children (age, disease severity, compliance with treatment).

SEARCH METHODS

We searched the Cochrane Airways Group Specialised Register of trials (CAGR), which is derived from systematic searches of bibliographic databases including CENTRAL, MEDLINE, EMBASE, CINAHL, AMED and PsycINFO; we handsearched respiratory journals and meeting abstracts. We also conducted a search of ClinicalTrials.gov and manufacturers' clinical trial databases to look for potential relevant unpublished studies. The literature search was conducted in January 2014.

SELECTION CRITERIA

Parallel-group randomised controlled trials comparing daily use of ICS, delivered by any type of inhalation device for at least three months, versus placebo or non-steroidal drugs in children up to 18 years of age with persistent asthma.

DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS

Two review authors independently performed study selection, data extraction and assessment of risk of bias in included studies. We conducted meta-analyses using the Cochrane statistical package RevMan 5.2 and Stata version 11.0. We used the random-effects model for meta-analyses. We used mean differences (MDs) and 95% CIs as the metrics for treatment effects. A negative value for MD indicates that ICS have suppressive effects on linear growth compared with controls. We performed a priori planned subgroup analyses to explore potential effect modifiers, such as ICS molecule, daily dose, inhalation device and age of the treated child.

MAIN RESULTS

We included 25 trials involving 8471 (5128 ICS-treated and 3343 control) children with mild to moderate persistent asthma. Six molecules (beclomethasone dipropionate, budesonide, ciclesonide, flunisolide, fluticasone propionate and mometasone furoate) [corrected] given at low or medium daily doses were used during a period of three months to four to six years. Most trials were blinded and over half of the trials had drop out rates of over 20%.Compared with placebo or non-steroidal drugs, ICS produced a statistically significant reduction in linear growth velocity (14 trials with 5717 participants, MD -0.48 cm/y, 95% CI -0.65 to -0.30, moderate quality evidence) and in the change from baseline in height (15 trials with 3275 participants; MD -0.61 cm/y, 95% CI -0.83 to -0.38, moderate quality evidence) during a one-year treatment period.Subgroup analysis showed a statistically significant group difference between six molecules in the mean reduction of linear growth velocity during one-year treatment (Chi² = 26.1, degrees of freedom (df) = 5, P value < 0.0001). The group difference persisted even when analysis was restricted to the trials using doses equivalent to 200 μg/d hydrofluoroalkane (HFA)-beclomethasone. Subgroup analyses did not show a statistically significant impact of daily dose (low vs medium), inhalation device or participant age on the magnitude of ICS-induced suppression of linear growth velocity during a one-year treatment period. However, head-to-head comparisons are needed to assess the effects of different drug molecules, dose, inhalation device or patient age. No statistically significant difference in linear growth velocity was found between participants treated with ICS and controls during the second year of treatment (five trials with 3174 participants; MD -0.19 cm/y, 95% CI -0.48 to 0.11, P value 0.22). Of two trials that reported linear growth velocity in the third year of treatment, one trial involving 667 participants showed similar growth velocity between the budesonide and placebo groups (5.34 cm/y vs 5.34 cm/y), and another trial involving 1974 participants showed lower growth velocity in the budesonide group compared with the placebo group (MD -0.33 cm/y, 95% CI -0.52 to -0.14, P value 0.0005). Among four trials reporting data on linear growth after treatment cessation, three did not describe statistically significant catch-up growth in the ICS group two to four months after treatment cessation. One trial showed accelerated linear growth velocity in the fluticasone group at 12 months after treatment cessation, but there remained a statistically significant difference of 0.7 cm in height between the fluticasone and placebo groups at the end of the three-year trial.One trial with follow-up into adulthood showed that participants of prepubertal age treated with budesonide 400 μg/d for a mean duration of 4.3 years had a mean reduction of 1.20 cm (95% CI -1.90 to -0.50) in adult height compared with those treated with placebo.

AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS

Regular use of ICS at low or medium daily doses is associated with a mean reduction of 0.48 cm/y in linear growth velocity and a 0.61-cm change from baseline in height during a one-year treatment period in children with mild to moderate persistent asthma. The effect size of ICS on linear growth velocity appears to be associated more strongly with the ICS molecule than with the device or dose (low to medium dose range). ICS-induced growth suppression seems to be maximal during the first year of therapy and less pronounced in subsequent years of treatment. However, additional studies are needed to better characterise the molecule dependency of growth suppression, particularly with newer molecules (mometasone, ciclesonide), to specify the respective role of molecule, daily dose, inhalation device and patient age on the effect size of ICS, and to define the growth suppression effect of ICS treatment over a period of several years in children with persistent asthma.

Effect of inhaled corticosteroids on long-term growth in pediatric patients with asthma and allergic rhinitis

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the effect of orally and nasally inhaled corticosteroids (ICS) on final adult height in pediatric patients with mild to moderate persistent asthma and allergic rhinitis.

DATA SOURCES

MEDLINE (1975-April 2013), Cochrane Library (through 2012), and International Pharmaceutical Abstracts (1975-April 2013) were searched for prospective clinical trials assessing the effects of orally or intranasally ICS use on growth in pediatric patients with asthma or allergic rhinitis using the terms inhaled/intranasal corticosteroid, linear growth, height, and asthma or allergic rhinitis.

STUDY SELECTION AND DATA EXTRACTION

Eligible articles included double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled studies of at least 1 year with growth velocity or height as the primary outcome.

DATA SYNTHESIS

Seven trials and 1 follow-up study analyzing the effects of orally ICSs were examined. Of these studies, 4 found a delay in growth in at least 1 subset of its participants of approximately 1 cm, 1 study found a decrease in final adult height of 1.2 cm, and 3 studies found no effect. Of the 4 studies examining nasally ICS, 1 found evidence of growth delay in a subgroup using supratherapeutic dosing. There are conflicting data on whether ICS use causes long-term growth reduction in pediatric patients. The concern surrounding their long-term use including a potential delay or decrease in growth may result in underuse and potential mismanagement of persistent asthma and/or allergic rhinitis. Patients should be treated with the lowest effective corticosteroid dose to achieve symptomatic control while minimizing excessive systemic effects. Orally ICS use may cause a delay in growth, but a decrease in final adult height (1.2 cm) has been documented in only one study. This single report should not preclude daily use of inhaled corticosteroids if needed to decrease the morbidity and mortality associated with pediatric reactive airway disease.

CONCLUSIONS

Continued studies on the systemic effects of ICS are required before truly understanding the class's effect on growth in pediatric patients with asthma and allergic rhinitis. What is understood, however, is the detriment and potential danger of mismanaged asthma care.

Flunisolide for the treatment of asthma

Inhaled corticosteroids (ICSs) are recommended for treatment of persistent asthma. Several ICSs are available and delivered by a variety of devices. After the banning of chlorofluorocarbon (CFC), a formulation of hydrofluoroalkane (HFA)-flunisolide marketed with an in-built spacer has been developed, complying with the request of efficacy and safety for children and adults. It delivers an aerosol with mass median aerodynamic diameter smaller than that of the CFC-formulation (1.2 vs 3.8 m). The extrafine aerosol and the add-on spacer are peculiarities of HFA-flunisolide with respect to the traditional ICSs, assuring larger lung deposition, lower oro-pharyngeal dose and targeting small airways. HFA-flunisolide with the spacer is effective at one-third the dose of CFC-flunisolide delivered without spacer. HFA-flunisolide may be considered an effective alternative to currently available ICSs for asthma management of adult and pediatric patients 6 years of age and older.