THE EFFECT OF INHALED CORTICOSTEROIDS ON SERUM IGF-I AND IGFBP3 LEVELS OF ASTHMATIC CHILDREN

Moutafi A, Karakaidos D, Zosi P, Triantafyllidis G,Vovolis V, Vlahou T, Karis C.

Pediatric Department

General Hospital of Nikea “St.Panteleimon”, Piraeus, Greece

Inhaled corticosteroids (cs) are recommended as primary therapy in asthma and claimed to be free of systemic effects. Serum levels of insulin- like growth factor I (IGF‑ I) and IGF-binding protein 3 (IGFBP3) have recently been used in the assessment of growth disorders.

Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of inhaled steroids (i.s.) on serum IGF- I and I GFBP3 levels of asthmatic children. IGF-I and I GFBP3 were measured by immunoradiometric assay and radioimmunoassay respectively.

Patients And Methods: The inhaled corticosteroid receiving asthmatic group consisted of 20 boys and 10 girls (median age 11.5 years) treated with inhaled corticosteroids for one to four years. The disease was considered mild in 17, moderate in 8 and severe in 5 patients according to the need for hospitalization and other antiasthmatic medication. The control group comprised 18 healthy boys and 12 girls of the same age.

Results: Mean serum IGF -I and IGFBP3 levels were not significantly different between the two groups (p>0,05). When data were stratified according to pubertal status, no significant difference in both groups observed. (Table I.)

Serum concentration of IGF-I and IGFBP3

	IGF-I (ng/ml)	IGFBP3 (ng/ml)
I Inh.cortic.group	284±76	3271±810
Control group	278±79	3169±790

Conclusion: Inhaled steroid therapy does not affect serum IGF‑I and IGFBP3 levels of asthmatic children. Long term treatment with inhaled corticosteroids may not cause growth retardation in asthmatic children, if IGF-I, IGFBP3 as well as other endocrinologic parameters are normal.

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