Indications for maintenance inhaled corticosteroid treatment in children 6–11 years

Severity of Exacerbations

Pattern of exacerbations and symptoms

Exacerbations less than once every 3 months, and no symptoms between exacerbationsExacerbations more frequent than once every 3 months, and no symptoms or infrequent symptoms between exacerbations

Symptoms between exacerbations (any of):

  • Daytime symptoms more than once per week
  • Night-time symptoms more than twice per month
  • Symptoms restrict activity or sleep

Mild

Exacerbations quickly resolve with salbutamol

Not indicatedConsiderIndicated

Moderate–severe

≥1 exacerbation in past year required ED or oral corticosteroids

ConsiderIndicatedIndicated

Life-threatening

≥1 exacerbation required hospitalisation or PICU

IndicatedIndicatedIndicated

Additional information

ED: emergency department; PICU: paediatric intensive care unit