Inhaled corticosteroid therapy in children: an assessment of the potential for side effects.

Inhaled corticosteroid therapy in children: an assessment of the potential for side effects Long before asthma was considered to be an inflammatory disorder, glucocorticosteroids were used in its man- agement.It soon became apparent that a heavy price had to be paid for the success of this new treatment which was associated with significant side effects including, in children, growth impairment.'When inhaled corticosteroid therapy was introduced,2 paediatricians welcomed its ster- oid-sparing properties and freedom from side effects,"5 on July 27,