Can taking steroids for asthma actually stunt your growth?

Answer 1

Possibly, but there is no consensus on this. Steroids used for Asthma treatment such as pulmicort (inhaled or oral) may possibly temporarily stunt growth in children. This is from drugs.com:

"Cases of growth suppression have been reported for inhaled corticosteroids including post-marketing reports for Pulmicort RESPULES."

http://www.drugs.com/sfx/pulmicort-side-effects.html

Webmd website states that pulmicort may stunt growth in children, but that it doesn't affect final adult height:

"Children may be more sensitive to the effects of too much corticosteroid medication. This medication may temporarily slow down a child's rate of growth if used for a long time. However, it will probably not affect final adult height. Monitor your child's height periodically."

http://www.webmd.com/drugs/drug-19937-Pulmicort+Inhl.aspx?drugid=19937&drugname=Pulmicort+Inhl

It also states:

"The administration of inhaled budesonide via a different dry-powder inhaler in doses up to 800 mcg/day (mean daily dose 445 mcg/day) or via a pressurized metered-dose inhaler in doses up to 1200 mcg/day (mean daily dose 620 mcg/day) to 216 pediatric patients (age 3 to 11 years) for 2 to 6 years had no significant effect on statural growth compared with non-corticosteroid therapy in 62 matched control patients. However, the long-term effect of inhaled budesonide on growth is not fully known."

Answer 2

You have very less adverse effects of the steroids, which are inhaled as compared to the advantages. At times, your physician gives you short term oral or injectable steroids. Again the advantages far outweigh the adverse effects.