Abstract:Objective The efficacy of long-term corticosteroid inhalation and its influences on adrenal gland function and growth & development in the treatment of childhood asthma are the concerns of many doctors and parents. This study examined the efficacy and safety of long-term beclomethaone dipropionate (BDP) inhalation in the treatment of this disorder by a control study. Methods Eighty children with asthma were randomly assigned into two groups: a Study group (n=50) and a Control group (n=30). Children from the Study group were regularly given BDP inhalation treatment during the remission stage. The initial dosage was different in patients with different severity (mild:250 μg/d, medium:500 μg/d, and severe:750 μg/d). Afterwards, the dosages were adjusted according to patients′ responses to this therapy. BPD inhalation duration was from 6 months to 2.5 years. During the treatment, regular follow-ups were performed to observe therapeutic effects and to measure patients′ peak expiratory flow rate (PEFR), 24-hr-urine free cortisol concentrations, body weight and height. The asthmatic children who did not receive or received irregular BPD inhalation during the remission stage served as the Control group.Results After 6 months of BPD inhalation, the effective rate in the Study group was significantly higher than that in the Control group [90%(45/50) vs 70%(21/30), P<0.05].The PEFR of the Study group significantly increased with treatment. The children′s body weight and height were not different from the normal children. The concentrations of 24-hr-urine free cortisol were also kept normal.Conclusions Long-term BPD inhalation appears to be effective and safe in the treatment of childhood asthma.
