All about asthma
Asthma & your child
Medicines for your child
Steroids & your child
Steroids & your child: FAQs
- Is my child too young to start using preventer medicines?
- Will using a steroid inhaler stunt my child's growth?
- Are there any other side effects from preventer medicines for children?
- Should children take steroid tablets?
- Will my child have to take preventer medicines forever?
- My child only has symptoms with viral infections – do we really need a preventer?
Q.
Is my child too young to start using preventer medicines?
A.
Almost certainly not. Preventer medicines are now standard treatment for children with asthma from infancy. Children under six years should use a spacer attached to an aerosol inhaler. Children under three years will probably need a face-mask as well.
Q.
Will using a steroid inhaler stunt my child's growth?
A.
A great deal of research has been carried out on the long-term effects for children of taking preventer medicines.
Children who have daily doses of 400 micrograms or less don't show any differences in growth. At higher doses the picture is less clear.
There is some evidence that the growth of children on high doses of preventer medicine, or short courses of steroid tablets, may be slowed down in the short-term. However, these children often have their growth spurt later and do eventually reach their predicted height.
It is important to note that chronic untreated asthma in children will itself cause poor growth.
Children who have daily doses of 400 micrograms or less don't show any differences in growth. At higher doses the picture is less clear.
There is some evidence that the growth of children on high doses of preventer medicine, or short courses of steroid tablets, may be slowed down in the short-term. However, these children often have their growth spurt later and do eventually reach their predicted height.
It is important to note that chronic untreated asthma in children will itself cause poor growth.
Q.
Are there any other side effects from preventer medicines for children?
A.
Children sometimes have mood changes and may be grumpy. Like adults, they may have a sore tongue or throat. Using a spacer can reduce this risk. It is also a good idea to give your child their steroid inhaler before they brush their teeth.
Q.
Should children take steroid tablets?
A.
Yes. A short course of steroid tablets (1-5 days) is sometimes needed to treat asthma attacks in children. Your child should not have any side effects from occasional courses of steroids.
Q.
Will my child have to take preventer medicines forever?
A.
Probably not. Most wheezy infants and children who experience occasional wheeze (perhaps 75%) will get better over the first five to seven years of life and will be able to come off all treatment. Some, particularly those with allergy (eg eczema, food allergies) may continue to have asthma in later childhood and adult life. They will benefit from longer-term preventer medicine use.
Q.
My child only has symptoms with viral infections – do we really need a preventer?
A.
Some infants who wheeze with viral infection benefit from preventer medicine, and some do not. Your doctor and asthma nurse will be looking to see if the preventer helps your child.
If your child is significantly allergic (eg eczema, food allergies) then steroids are likely to be of benefit. For some children, who wheeze with viral infection, early preventer medicine may be important in preventing asthma developing as they grow older.
Soluble steroid tablets are available for children
Children should be monitored closely if they are regularly taking steroid tablets - especially for growth.
If your child is significantly allergic (eg eczema, food allergies) then steroids are likely to be of benefit. For some children, who wheeze with viral infection, early preventer medicine may be important in preventing asthma developing as they grow older.
Soluble steroid tablets are available for children
Children should be monitored closely if they are regularly taking steroid tablets - especially for growth.
|
|
