steroid inhaler and growth - in your opinion did it effect your dc?

[brimfull]

ds is short for age
not sure where he is on chart
not that noticeable but I am a bit worried about the effects of the steroid inhaler

I did a google on this as had same worry. DS has other issues though and is also on Singulaire for his asthma. I think his apetite is affected and so his growth. Then again it could just be a very fussy eater.

I think there is evidence that one of the steroids has an effect on growth but don't know which one.

Uncontrolled asthma is more likely to restrict growth than moderate doses of inhaled corticosteroids.

Large doses of regular oral steroids can affect growth, but then would indicate poor control anyway so should be a trigger for referral to a paediatric respiratory consultant.

My son is 18 and 6ft, he has been on steroid inhalers since before his first birthday, so didn't stunt anything here. Has also had around 30+ 5 day pred(sp?) oral steroids and we have our own nebuliser at home, so I don't think any of his meds have affected him longterm

A friends daughter now aged 21 and her mum are convinced that her adult height has been affected by inhaler and oral steroids for her asthma. But then as said before, the steroids kept her asthma under control.

Thanks for your replies.

I do realise the benefits outweigh the side effects if asthma needs to be controlled but I think his asthma is controlled well enough with the singulair.

He's on 4puffs a day of steroid.

becotide

My ds is on two puffs of seretide a day - should I worry?

That's not a high dose of ICS so it's unlikely to have an effect on his growth.

that's reassuring thanks

emkana is it the Seretide 50 he's on? If so that's the normal dose for it, so don't worry.

sidge- is singulair ever given on it's own ?

Yes it's the Seretide 50.
Thanks for reassurance

ggirl sorry went to bed!

Yes Singulair can be given on it's own but rarely; it can be used as monotherapy for people over 15 to control hayfever.

It can be used in children alone, with restrictions; the BNF says:

The Scottish Medicines Consortium has advised (June 2007) that Singulair® chewable tablets and granules are restricted for use as an alternative to low-dose inhaled corticosteroids for children 2?14 years with mild persistent asthma who have not recently had serious asthma attacks that required oral corticosteroid use and who are not capable of using inhaled corticosteroids; Singulair® chewable tablets and granules should be initiated by a specialist in paediatric asthma.

Hope that makes sense!

Thanks sidge.
So as he can take steroid inhaler he would discontinue the singulair first if he carries on having no wheeziness etc.?

Usually yes, we would normally stop the Singulair and see what happens, then if still symptom free (or purely seasonal symptoms) then reduce, then possibly stop the becotide and see if Ventolin alone does the job.

If needing more Ventolin (or regular Ventolin) then restart the becotide.

thanks sidge