Asthma, Steroids and Growth

Long-term administration of systemic steroids is a cause of impaired growth. (1) Trials comparing inhaled steroid preparations with other treatment regimens in nearly 600 children with asthma found that, children treated with inhaled steroids had less growth in height (1 to 1.6 cm [23 to 27 percent] less) than those assigned to other treatments. The mechanisms by which this delay in growth occurs are unknown. If inhaled steroids are not discontinued, does growth suppression continue, so that children with asthma who are at the 50th percentile for height at the age of six years fall to the 25th percentile by the time they are adults? Two articles in this issue of NEJM report a reduction of about 20 percent in growth velocity during the first year of treatment.  One caveat is that their may be impairment of the growth of other organs, such as the brain (9) and the lung. The number and branching structure of airways and conducting vessels are complete in early gestation, where as alveoli are formed in the last months of gestation and during the first years of postnatal life. The number of alveoli increases by a factor of about six after birth, mostly in the first two years. Formation of alveoli is complete by the age of five to eight years. (10,11) Thereafter, the lung grows by increasing the size of airways and alveoli already present. 

Until more is known about the influence of steroids on the development of the lung and other organs, and until better tools are developed to assess organ growth, it may be prudent to avoid the use of inhaled corticosteroids in young children with mild asthma.  The sparseness of the data on the influence of steroids on organ development cautions against extending the beneficial findings of the studies of Agertoft and Pedersen and the Childhood Asthma Management Program Research Group to young children, particularly those with relatively mild disease. 

Asthma is a serious issue as the number of adults suffering from asthma has more than doubled in the last two decades, with steroid prescriptions increasing six-fold.

However,even if inhaled steroids don’t increase the risk for heart disease they are undoubtedly associated with a number of other serious complications that you wouldn't want to expose yourself or your children to.

These include:

• Increased risk of cataracts
• Loss of bone and development of osteoporosis
• Stunting a child’s growth

Fortunately,there are some basic strategies that will typically improve asthma and decrease the severity and frequency of attacks.

Foremost is the evaluation of the child's nervous system to ensure proper function is present. 

NO MATTER WHAT COURSE OF TREATMENT YOU TAKE, IF THE NERVOUS SYSTEM IS NOT FUNCTIONING AR 100% OF IT'S CAPABILITIES, THAT CHILD WILL NOT BE HEALTHY, NOR WITH THE TREATMENTS THEY UNDERGO SUCCEED.

Numerous studies have been shown that prove the effectiveness of Chiropractic care in the treatment of Asthma and other respiratory disorders. We personally have had phenomenal successes in our office with not just children, but also adults who have witnessed their Asthma and Allergy conditions dramatically decrease, and often completely disappear when under regular care.

In addition to Chiropractic adjustments to enhance the child's neurological function, and in turn, the function of their entire body, there are nutritional considerations that if undertaken, can enhance the chances of a more complete recovery for that child.

There are three primary dietary interventions that are important.

The first is to remove all sugar and fruit juices from the diet, as this will increase inflammatory reactions in the body. If the child is overweight then elimination of all grains, will also be helpful.

Secondly, removing all pasteurized dairy products from the diet is frequently helpful. Raw milk, however, is often well tolerated and may actually improve the condition.

Thirdly, you will want to optimize fish oil intake and decrease other vegetable oils in the diet. Always remember omega-3 fats are essential to your, and your children's, health. The best source for omega-3 is fish oil and cod liver oil, as, unlike other sources such as walnuts or flax seeds, it is high in two fatty acids crucial to human health,DHA and EPA. These two fatty acids are pivotal in preventing heart disease, cancer, and many other diseases. The human brain is also highly dependent on DHA--low DHA levels have been linked to depression, schizophrenia, memory loss, and a higher risk of developing Alzheimer's.

When, choosing your fish oil or cod liver oil, it is important to remember that not all brands are the same.

Try to obtain the liquid form, as it is superior to capsules. For children, Coromega brand has tasty packets that you can snip off the ends and just squeeze into the child's mouth. I offer these to my own children since they have a pleasant orange taste to them, and unlike most other things good for them that you might want them to take, these packets do not have an unpleasant after taste so they don't mind taking them

Source: The New England Journal of Medicine-October12, 2000,Vol. 343, No. 15