Abstract
To investigate the influence of high-dose inhaled steroid in children with asthma therapy for 2 weeks using high-dose (900μg/day) inhaled beclomethasone dipropionate (BDP) was carried out in ten institutionally hospitalized asthmatic children. The change in various parameters including serum osteocalcin (OC) during therapy was evaluated, and results obtained were as follows;
1) There were no significant differences in serum osteocalcin, alkaline phosphatase, circadian rhythm of serum cortisol level, peripheral eosinophil counts, eosinophils in nasal and sputum smear, and serum IgE between before and after BDP therapy. Regarding local side effect, positive oropharyngeal Candidia colony was found in three of ten patients after therapy.
2) Short-term, high-dose inhaled BDP therapy significantly attenuated bronchial hyperresponsiveness to acetlycholine. Furthermore maximum mid-expiratory flow rate (MMF), maximal flow rate at 50% of vital capacity (V50) and maxmal flow rate at 25% of vital capacity (V25) were improved significantly during therapy period.
We concluded that short-term, high-dose BDP therapy (900μg/day for 2 weeks) may be useful without sever side-effects in the treatment of asthmatic children.
