Long-Term Effects of Budesonide or Nedocromil in Children with Asthma

Asthma is a disease of chronic airway inflammation characterized by reversible airway obstruction and increased airway responsiveness. 1 – 3 Recent studies have demonstrated that asthma can be associated with impaired lung growth during childhood and with a progressive decline in pulmonary function in adulthood. 4 – 11 Clinical practice guidelines recommend antiinflammatory medication for the long-term control of persistent asthma; treatment with inhaled corticosteroids or nedocromil is recommended for children. 1 , 2 The Childhood Asthma Management Program was designed to evaluate whether continuous, long-term treatment (over a period of four to six years) with either an inhaled corticosteroid (budesonide) or an inhaled noncorticosteroid drug . . .