[Effect of budesonide on bone density and metabolism in asthmatic children].

OBJECTIVE

To assess the effect of inhaled budesonide on the mineral density, content and bone metabolism in children with asthma.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

From September 1996 to July 1997, a cross-sectional study was conducted in 38 prepubertal children aged 6 to 11 years, selected from the pediatric chest outpatient clinic of the Instituto Autónomo Hospital Universitario de Los Andes, Mérida, Venezuela. Three study groups were assembled: 9 asthmatic children treated with inhaled budesonide (300 micrograms/day) for over 6 months (Group A); 14 asthmatic children not treated with inhaled corticosteroids (Group B); and 15 non-asthmatic children (Group C). All of them underwent testing of bone formation and resorption markers, and measurement of bone mineral density (DMO) and content (CMO). Statistical analysis consisted of central tendency and dispersion measures, analysis of variance, and Fisher and Scheffe tests for comparison of means.

RESULTS

In the groups studied (A, B, and C) calcium serum levels were 9.1 +/- 0.3; 9.6 +/- 0.4; 9.3 +/- 0.6 mg/ml, respectively; osteocalcin levels were 14.8 +/- 4.6; 13.0 +/- 2.5; 11.9 +/- 3.4 ng/dl; the type I collagen carboxyterminal telopeptide (ICTP) levels were 19.6 +/- 16.5; 14.2 +/- 15.4; 13.0 +/- 18.3 micrograms/l; the DMO levels were 0.67 +/- 0.06; 0.68 +/- 0.06; 0.69 +/- 0.06 g/cm2; and the CMO levels were 1,158.8 +/- 217.4; 1,106.4 +/- 256.1; 1,176.5 +/- 240.5 g, respectively. No statistically significant differences were observed between the groups.

CONCLUSIONS

The administration of 100-400 micrograms/day of inhaled budesonide for a period of six months, did not change the bone mineral density and metabolism of asthmatic children.