Abstract
We examined the efficacy and problems of beclomethasone dipropionate inhalation (BDI) in 20 infants and young children (aged 11-49 months) with asthma. One child had severe asthma and the others had moderate asthma. Although all utilized β-agonists and theophylline, and 14 of them used regular DSCG+salbutamol inhalation in addition to those therapies, symptoms deteriorated. Beclomethasone dipropionate (50-200μg twice daily) was administered using MDI and valved holding chambers with masks (16 AeroChambers, 3 Babyhalers, 1 Microhaler) for 12 months. Three children did not adapt to use of AeroChambers and dropped from the study. BDI significantly improved asthma symptom scores and numbers of hospitalization after using BDI for 12 months. No significant difference was found in height or growth velocity between before and after using BDI for 12 months. Training-time seemed necessary for children to cooperate the treatment of inhalation. However, the efficacy of treatment with BDI was worthwhile to satisfy the parents. BDI seems to represent a useful treatment to control asthma in infants and young children for whom other treatments have proved ineffective.
