IMPAIRED GROWTH IN CHILDREN WITH ASTHMA DURING TREATMENT WITH CONVENTIONAL DOSES OF INHALED CORTICOSTEROIDS

We describe 6 (4F, 2M) prepubertal children with moderate asthma diagn osed at a mean age of 2.8 years. All patients were treated with inhale d corticosteroids in a dose of between 300 and 800 mcg of beclomethaso ne diproprionate (becotide) daily, given either as an aerosol or rotah aler. Mean height velocity SDS decreased from -0.8 (range +0.5 to -2.0 ) to -3.2 (range -1.3 to -4.8) when the dose was increased. Alternativ ely, when the dose was reduced or stopped, mean height velocity SDS in creased from -3.2 (range -2.0 to -4.8) to +0.8 (range -1.2 to +2.7). C areful assessment of height velocity is indicated in all children rece iving treatment with inhaled corticosteroids.