Asthma Drugs and Children

Parents' worries about the safety of asthma drugs may prevent asthmatic children from getting the relief they deserve, a new study suggests. According to data released in the September issue of Pediatrics, one in six parents of children with asthma is more concerned about the side effects of asthma medications than their child's need for the drugs. Addressing parental worries may increase adherence to needed asthma drugs, the researchers said. An estimated 10 million children in the United States suffer with asthma, yet only half of prescribed medications are taken daily as directed.