Asthma is a common chronic disorder that affects children. Asthmatic children have unusually active immune systems, which can cause dangerous inflammation of the airways in response to certain triggers. Prednisolone is often used as a treatment for chronic asthma symptoms in children.
Mechanism
Prednisolone is commonly used to treat conditions relating to abnormal inflammation, such as asthma. Prednisolone, RxList explains, is a synthetic corticosteroid. Corticosteroids are medications that are potently able to suppress inflammation. By blocking some of the chemical signals that result in inflammation, prednisolone is able to relieve chronic asthma in children.
Dosage
The initial dosage of prednisolone varies from patient to patient and can be between 5mg and 60mg per day, RxList reports. The dose may need to be tweaked depending on the severity of the patient's disease as well as the size of the child; smaller children generally need smaller doses of prednisolone.
Side Effects
Regular use of prednisolone can result in increased body fat, particularly around the trunk, as well as thinning of the skin, Drugs.com explains. Children taking this condition may also be more likely to develop infections and may experience stomach pain, insomnia and depression.
