Does Asthma Affect the Growth Rate in Children?

Video Transcript

"Does asthma affect the growth rate in children? First of all the correct diagnosis by a licensed physician is very necessary. It is very often seen that children do have a decrease in growth rate. Daily corticosteroids suppress growth rate as long as the treatment is maintained. Meaning that as long as the child is on corticosteroids there's going to be a suppression of the growth rate. So it's very important that there's a growth, height, watched on each child that's on corticosteroids. There's a risk depending on the dosage and the delivery and the regime of the medication. There are certain steroids that will decrease it even more. So the doctor needs to be consulted on all of these dosages and to have careful follow up. The child needs to have his height growth measured every six months. And also have the endocrine system checked for growth deficiencies. Poor eating habits and poor exercise affect the child negatively also."