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Effects of inhaled fluticasone propionate in children less than 2 years old with recurrent wheezing

Our objective was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of two doses of fluticasone propionate (FP) in young children with recurrent wheezing and risk factors for asthma. Our study design was a randomized, double‐blind, placebo‐controlled comparison of inhaled FP 50 mcg twice daily (FP 100) and 125 mcg twice daily (FP 250), for 6 months. Outcome measures included number of wheezing episodes, days on albuterol, height standard deviation score (height SDS), osteocalcin (OC), bone alkaline phosphatase fraction (AKP), insulin‐like growth factor‐binding protein 3 (IGFBP‐3), and serum levels of cortisol (SC). Our subjects were 30 patients, aged 7–24 months. Mean wheezing episodes were 6.0 ± 1.9, 1.9 ± 1.9, and 2.8 ± 1.2; mean days of albuterol use were 24.3 ± 1.3, 6.5 ± 0.8, and 9.1 ± 0.8, per patient for placebo, FP100, and FP250 groups, respectively. There was a significant reduction in clinical outcome in the two FP groups compared to placebo (P < 0.01). No significant correlations were found between FP dosage and height SDS, OC, AKP, IGFBP‐3, and SC. In conclusion, in young children with asthmatic symptoms, FP at 50 and 125 mcg b.i.d. for 6 months significantly improved respiratory symptoms without causing significant side effects on growth and bone metabolism. Pediatr Pulmonol. 2004; 37:111–115. © 2004 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.