The effect of inhaled corticosteroids on height growth velocity of 6-12 years old asthmatic children

Introduction: Inhaled corticosteroids are recognized as the most effective antiinflammatory therapy in patient with asthma. Further studies must be done about potential adverse effects of inhaled corticosteroid on linear growth in asthmatic children. This study aims to assess the effects of treatment with Inhaled corticosteroids on linear growth in 6-12 years old asthmatic children. Methods: In a randomized clinical trial study, we randomly selected 70, 6-12 years old, asthmatic children as cases and 70 healthy children as control group. The asthmatic children were classified into two groups, one group included 35 asthmatic patients on beclomethasone 450 microgram per day and another group included 35 asthmatic patients on fluticasone 250 microgram per day. Height of all children was measured with standard stadiometery in first visit, six month and one year later. The data were analyzed using t, Chi- Square and analysis of variance tests. Results: There were 106 boys (75.7%) and 34 girls (24.3%). mean age was 7.35±1.09 without any significant difference between three groups. There was no significant difference in sex and duration of ICSs consumption among the groups. Mean of height growth, 6 month after ICSs prescription was 3.26 cm in beclomethasone group, 2.9cm in fluticasone group and 3.01 cm in control group. Mean of height growth one year after ICSs prescription was 6.21 cm in beclomethasone, 6.07 cm in fluticasone group and 5.92 cm in control group. The differences were not statistically significant. Conclusion: We observed no significant negative effect of usage of Inhaled corticosteroids (Beclomethasone 450 microgram per day and fluticasone 250 microgram per day) for 3 to 6 months on linear growth of asthmatic children.