You have a seven in 10 chance that your children will have asthma if you and your spouse are both asthmatic, the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America says. Conflicting evidence exists regarding the effect of asthma on growth, with some studies claiming impaired growth as a function of the condition itself, others indicating growth problems only as a result of treatment. The severity of the condition will determine the treatment used and may influence the effect on growth.
Asthma in Children
This common childhood disease cannot be cured, but treatments have been developed that allow some measure of control. The wheezing, coughing and breathing difficulties caused by constriction of inflamed airways to the lungs can be alleviated by medical treatment. Corticosteroids used in inhalers have proven to be effective treatments for asthma symptoms, and continue to be used, although there is some concern about their effect on growth.
Asthma-Impaired Growth
A 1993 paper by George Russell in "Archives of Disease in Childhood" studied the published literature for evidence to support impaired growth in asthma patients. According to Russell, there is overwhelming evidence that, independent of treatment, asthma on its own retards growth. Possible reasons proposed for this phenomenon include asthma-delayed maturation, reduced growth hormone secretion, asthma-associated endocrine malfunction and decreased appetite. Russell noted the hypothetical nature of these proposals and indicated that more research was required to determine exactly why and how asthma impaired growth.
Refuting Evidence
A 1998 publication in the "British Medical Journal" studied 3347 asthmatic children ages 1 to 15 years over a four-year period. The goal of the study was determine the effect of asthma on growth. The results showed that most of the children had no growth problems. Those using inhaled steroids in high doses grew more slowly, however, and were significantly shorter than average.
Growth Impairment Significance
The major concern for most doctors is whether asthma-associated growth impairment will impact final adult height, says a June 2002 study in the "European Respiratory Journal." J. Price and associates looked at the different methods of measuring childhood growth. They asserted that there is no clear correlation between childhood growth rate and final adult height. Childhood height measurement at a specific age is a better predictor of adult height, but is less useful for short-term studies. They reported that one study using the medication budesonide to treat asthma had no effect on final adult height, although there was marked decrease in growth velocity in the first two years of treatment.
Consideration
The scientific evidence suggests that any growth impairment noted, either with or without treatment, may be transient and might not keep you from attaining your predicted adult height. Avoiding situations that trigger your asthma symptoms and keeping your asthma under control with the appropriate medication when necessary is important.
References
- Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America: Asthma Facts and Figures
- "Archives of Disease in Childhood": Asthma and Growth; G. Russell; 1993
- "British Medical Journal": Effect of asthma and its treatment on growth: Four Year Follow up of Cohort of Children from General Practices in Tayside, Scotland; C. McCowan et al; Feb 1998
- "European Respiratory Journal": Evaluating the Effects of Asthma Therapy on Childhood Growth: Principles of Study Design; J. Price et al; June 2002
