Treating the asthmatic child with dry powder inhalers: a possible breakthrough.

Asthma is a chronic inflammatory disease of the airways, which affects approximately 15 million people in the United States alone. With almost 5 million American children affected, asthma is the most common chronic disease of childhood. Hospital admissions for asthma exacerbations continue to rise in the pediatric population despite advances in available therapy. Traditionally, asthma patients have been treated with beta agonists, corticosteroids, and theophylline to control their asthma. In the last decade, advances in both oral and inhalation therapy have expanded the long-term control options available to these patients. Inhalation therapy has received increased attention during this period due to the fact that this method of therapy is convenient, noninvasive, and effective.