Corticosteroids are powerful anti-inflammatories that are used to try to slow the progression of asthma, it was thought that through a continuous administration of them, the course of the disease could be altered and breathing could even be improved.
Two studies prepared by researchers from several American universities and doctors from the University Hospital of Copenhagen (Denmark) show that these Inhaled medications (corticosteroids) do not slow the progression of asthma in children and do not avoid subsequent asthmatic episodes. These medications are also related to stunted growth and experts recommend that they not be given to children under two years of age.
In the first study, 285 children between the ages of two and three years were used, they formed two groups and one of them was given two daily inhalations of fluticasone propionate (a corticosteroid) and the second group was given placebo . The result showed that both one group and the other evolved in the same way, but with a small difference, those who were given the medication suffered a stunted growth.
The conclusion is as follows, these medications can be used to control the disease depending on age, since they do not help to improve it, but instead retard growth. The study calls on parents to try, as far as possible, to use the minimum dose and control the possible side effects of using this drug.
In the second study, 441 children participated and also made two groups, the first administered inhaled budesonide (corticosteroid) and the second a placebo for three years. The result was the same as the previous one, without any data pointing to an improvement of the first group.
These results will make the experts rethink and review the treatments with this type of medications that have been used so far. The truth is that it would be fantastic news that they came up with a solution to cure asthma.
