| Title | Limitations of maintenance therapy for viral respiratory infection-induced asthma. | ||
| Author | Doull, Iolo J M | ||
| Journal | J Pediatr | Publication Year/Month | 2003-Feb |
| PMID | 12584516 | PMCID | -N/A- |
| Affiliation | 1.Cystic Fibrosis/Respiratory Unit, Department of Child Health, University Hospital of Wales, Cardiff, Wales. doullij@:cf.ac.uk. | ||
In asthmatic children with persistent symptoms, maintenance therapy with nedocromil sodium, inhaled corticosteroids, or montelukast is associated with a decreased rate of asthma exacerbations. The greatest benefit is seen with use of regular inhaled corticosteroids in preschool- or school-age children, in whom asthma exacerbations, the need for rescue oral corticosteroids, unscheduled urgent medical visits, and hospitalizations are all decreased by approximately 50%. However, maintenance therapy is not beneficial in children with intermittent respiratory virus-induced wheezing without persistent symptoms.