Effect of Different Doses of Inhaled Corticosteroids on the Isolation of Nasopharyngeal Flora in Children with Asthma.

OBJECTIVE

To find the effects of inhaled corticosteroids and the impact of different doses of inhaled corticosteroids on the isolation of nasopharyngeal flora in asthmatic children aged 1-15 years.

METHODS

The study included 75 children with asthma and 25 age-matched controls. Nasopharyngeal swabs were obtained. Bacteria were identified by standard techniques.

RESULTS

Pathogenic organisms were isolated from 36% of asthmatic children and 20% of controls, the difference was not significant statistically (OR=2.25, 95% CI=0.75-6.67, P=0.13). There was no statistically significant association of using a high dose of inhaled corticosteroids with the isolation of pathogenic organisms. Usage of biomass fuel for cooking in the household of asthmatic children increases the risk of colonization (OR=3.4, 95% CI= 1.26-9.10, P=0.03).

CONCLUSIONS

Inhaled corticosteroids are safe in the treatment of asthma and there is no association between different doses of Inhaled corticosteroids and isolation of the pathogenic organism.