A concern for Parents of Asthmatics: Will Corticosteroids stunt my child's growth?

My son suffered from severe asthma.  Everytime I picked up a prescription for prednisone the pharmacist would warn me about how this could stunt his growth.  I always wanted to exclaim that breathing was the utmost concern at the moment. 

My son is now 17, and has been released from the care of the pulmonologist.  He is 6'4".

Interesting how side-effects of asthma medications can have such an effect upon growth. I think my readers would gain some valuable information, and would like to publish your article on my site, Growing-Taller-Now.com . Let me know if it's  okay.

I suppose I am lucky that I come from what are clearly tall family genes. I'm 5'7'' in spite of long term high doses of oral and inhaled steroids. However I do have the customary bone thinning which has deteriorated markedly in the ast 2 years (down 19% since previous DEXA). And this is whilst taking weekly Fosamax and daily calcium+Vit D.

I am more concerned that ever now about the long term dire effects of the steroids on my bone density.

Susannah

I've been on Prednisone for a very long time and I'm one of the few I've met where the taking of that medication long term, high dose, *did* contribute to me being shorter than everyone else in my family. I was five foot two but honestly, I didn't care, I could breathe. I now also suffer from pretty advanced osteoporosis, but again, I can breathe and I do all I can to keep up with such known side effects, up to and including Actonel, calcium supps, along with exercise which I believe they have discerned helps to rebuild bone mass.