Glucocorticoids in the treatment of asthma in children

Abstract

Today, asthma is considered an inflammatory disease; steroids could be the drugs of choice for its treatment since they work at different points of the asthmatic reaction, decreasing the infiltration of inflammatory cells, and inhibiting the production of some of them and the release of citokines and other proinflammatory agents; they also diminish mucus secretion in the submucosal glands, improve the response of B2 receptors to bronchodilators and reduce vascular permeability. These and other actions manifest themselves in clinical improvement, less frequent acute crises, hospitalizations and consultations, and lesser deterioration of pulmonary function. Though inhaled corticosteroids are safe and effective drugs in children, they must be used at minimal doses and during the shortest time required by patients. Inadequate use of systemic corticosteroids, either oral or parenteral, can have undesirable effects, some of them irreversible. Corticosteroids neither cure asthma nor reduce its mortality; that is the reason for the active search of other substances or strategies to reduce or block the inflammatory process or the disease itself.