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Growth impairment and adrenal suppression on low‐dose inhaled beclomethasone
Author(s) -
Shenoy Shruthakrithi D,
Swift Peter GF,
Cody Declan
Publication year - 2006
Publication title -
journal of paediatrics and child health
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.631
H-Index - 76
eISSN - 1440-1754
pISSN - 1034-4810
DOI - 10.1111/j.1440-1754.2006.00814.x
Subject(s) - medicine , asthma , inhaled corticosteroids , short stature , corticosteroid , adrenal insufficiency , pediatrics , endocrinology
Growth impairment and adrenal suppression secondary to inhaled corticosteroids (ICS) is a well‐recognised phenomenon. We report a 13‐year‐old boy, treated long‐term for asthma, who presented with short stature while on low‐dose inhaled corticosteroid (beclomethasone 200 μg/d). Investigations revealed evidence of severe adrenal suppression. Weaning off the steroid treatment resulted in recovery of adrenal activity and rapid growth. While low‐dose ICS are normally considered to have few side effects, this case illustrates the extreme variability of individual sensitivity and the need for careful surveillance of all children treated with long‐term steroids.