Inhalation of corticosteroids after hospital care for respiratory syncytial virus infection diminishes development of asthma in infants

The aim of the study was to assess the effect of inhaled corticosteroids on subsequent respiratory symptoms and asthma in infants hospitalized for respiratory syncytial virus infection (RSV). The study included 188 children below 12 Ino of age, hospitalized because of RSV infection. During the winter of 1994/95 only selected children (13%) were given inhaled corticosteroids following discharge from the hospital. The following winter (1995/96). almost all children (86%) were given this treatment for 6-8 wk. Outcomes of the two different treatment regimens were compared by questionnaire 19-24 mo after discharge. Children hospitalized and treated during the winter of 1995/96 developed asthma (12% vs. 24%) and other severe symptoms of the respiratory tract less often than infants treated the year before. The frequency of children with less severe symptoms did not differ between the two treatment periods. Conclusion: The results indicate that inhalation of corticosteroids for 6-8 wk may reduce subsequent asthma and severe respiratory morbidity in infants hospitalized for RSV infection.