Asthma Inhalers Found to Affect Growth Permanently

Children who use glucocorticoid inhalers to prevent asthma may have growth deficiencies that persist into adulthood, according to a study reported in The New York Times.

Scientists found that children who inhale budesonide - sold under the brand name Pulmicort - were on average about half an inch shorter than those who used placebos in the study by the age of 25, with a greater decrease in adult height with a higher dose of the drug.

"There are lots of studies that show the inhalant corticosteroids produce a decrease in growth in prepubertal children," said H. William Kelly, the study's lead author. "But we have the first long-term prospective study that shows that you don't outgrow it." Read the full details here:

Use of Inhalers May Affect Growth

Steve Crandall, a top-rated medical malpractice attorney throughout Ohio and Kentucky, believes this is an article every parent that has a well-known genetically passed lung disease or child with asthma should read.

"While inhaled steroids, used daily, can help keep asthma effects at bay their long term side effects when used in children is only now becoming known," said Crandall. "This poses a dilemma for their parents; use the inhalers which help with day to day living, or rely on other medication which is not as useful but have less side effects."