Purpose of review: Description of recent studies evaluating growth and inhaled corticosteroids.
Recent findings: Corticosteroids are the gold standard of asthma maintenance treatment, but effects on growth remain controversial. This is a review of recent research in this area, which has focused on medications causing less adrenal suppression as well as alternative regimens for chronic illness such as asthma.
Summary: The use of newer corticosteroids and regimens shows short-term evidence of minimal growth effects without worsening of asthma control.