Impaired growth in children with asthma during treatment with conventional doses of inhaled corticosteroids

We describe 6 (4F, 2M) prepubertal children with moderate asthma diagnosed at a mean age of 2.8 years. All patients were treated with inhaled corticosteroids in a dose of between 300 and 800 mcg of beclomethasone diproprionate (becotide) daily, given either as an aerosol or rotahaler. 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. Alternatively, when the dose was reduced or stopped, mean height velocity SDS increased from −3.2 (range −2.0 to −4.8) to +0.8 (range −1.2 to +2.7). Careful assessment of height velocity is indicated in all children receiving treatment with inhaled corticosteroids.