Effects of inhaled beclomethasone on height growth and bone metabolism in children with asthma

: To evaluate the influences of inhaled beclomethasone dipropionate (BDP), 7.3-30.9 (15.5 +/- 6.5) micrograms/kg/day, on bone metabolism and height growth, we performed a longitudinal study for 6 months in 34 children with asthma aged between 3 and 15 years. Bone mineral density estimated by digital image processing method (DIP) and serum level of osteocalcin did not show any significant change, but height growth was slightly suppressed in the patients who inhaled more than 15 micrograms/kg/day of BDP. We concluded that the decision to prescribe inhaled BDP should be made on the balance of the clinical effects and the improvement of quality of life against the possibility of side effects.