Feb. 24, 2011 Children experiencing an asthma attack who are
treated with a short burst of oral steroids may have a brief and
transient depression of immune response, according to a new
study led by Université de Montréal. These findings, published
in this month's issue of Pediatric Allergy, Immunology and
Pulmonology, have implications for asthmatic children who have
flare-ups and who may be exposed to new contagious diseases.
"There is no question that the administration of corticosteroids
reduces the risk and duration of hospital admission in children
with acute asthma and remains the most effective treatment for
moderate and severe asthma exacerbations," says first author
Francine M. Ducharme, a Université de Montréal professor and
pediatrician and researcher at the Sainte-Justine University
Hospital Research Center. "However, the safety profile of these
medications continues to raise concerns among parents and
physicians. Concerns over their possible impact on the immune
system stem from few rare reports