Adrenal function in asthma

• Published in: Archives of disease in childhood Vol. 65; no. 8; pp. 838 - 840
• Main Authors: Priftis, K, Milner, A D, Conway, E, Honour, J W
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England BMJ Publishing Group Ltd and Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health 01-08-1990; BMJ Publishing Group Ltd; BMJ Publishing Group LTD
• Subjects: Adolescent; Adrenal Glands - physiopathology; Adverse and side effects; Androsterone - urine; Asthma; Asthma - drug therapy; Asthma - physiopathology; Asthma - urine; Asthma in children; Beclomethasone; Beclomethasone - therapeutic use; Beclomethasone dipropionate; Body Height; Child; Child, Preschool; Childhood asthma; Children; Complications; Cortisol; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; Drug therapy; Etiocholanolone - urine; Excretion; Female; Humans; Hydrocortisone - urine; Male; Metabolites; Pediatrics; Pituitary-adrenal function tests; Steroid hormones; Steroids (Drugs); Steroids (Organic compounds)
• ISSN: 0003-9888; 1468-2044
• DOI: 10.1136/adc.65.8.838

A dose dependent suppression of daily cortisol excretion was shown in 25 children with asthma being treated with beclomethasone dipropionate. Cortisol metabolites tended to occur below the normal range when doses of beclomethasone of more than 400 micrograms/m2/day were given. Androgen excretion below the normal range was apparent in asthmatic children aged 8-13 years regardless of whether they were receiving inhaled steroids. This may be the reason for growth delay often seen in asthmatic children. These side effects of beclomethasone are not enough reason to discourage its prescription for the treatment of asthma, but endocrine assessment is desirable when the dose exceeds 400 micrograms/m2/day.