New Research Ends Controversy Regarding Treatment Of Pre-School Wheeze

Main Category: Respiratory / Asthma
Article Date: 22 Jan 2009 - 2:00 PDT

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Research funded by Asthma UK has found that steroid tablets do not reduce the symptoms of virus-induced wheezing in pre-school children.

Full paper (published in The New England Journal of Medicine:see here.

Dr Mike Thomas, Chief Medical Advisor for Asthma UK, says: 'This study is well done and the findings are robust. Dr Grigg's research shows that the current practice of giving oral steroids to children admitted to hospital with wheezing associated with a viral infection is not helpful, and this could have important implications for the medical community.

'Young children who only get wheezy when they have a cold or viral chest infection but can breathe normally at other times, are likely to grow-out of their tendency to wheeze by teenage years. It is important that we stop relying on a one-solution-fits-all which means that these young children are taking steroids unnecessarily, and to search for more effective treatments for these children.'

Notes

1. Asthma UK is one of the major funders of asthma research in the UK.

2. In 2006, Asthma UK spent more than the UK Government on research into asthma.

3. Asthma UK is the charity dedicated to improving the health and well-being of the 5.4 million people in the UK whose lives are affected by asthma. For up-to-date news on asthma, information and publications, visit the Asthma UK website asthma.org.uk 4. For independent and confidential advice on asthma, call the Asthma UK Adviceline, which is staffed by asthma nurse specialists. It is open weekdays from 9am to 5pm on 08457 01 02 03. Or email an asthma nurse at http://www.asthma.org.uk/adviceline.

Asthma UK

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