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Can Asthma Medications Cause Behavioral Abnormality In A Child?

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Posted on Tue, 7 Jul 2015
Question: My niece is an eleven year old who sees an allergist. She has been diagnosed with asthma. Her physical exam and labs are all within normal range. Her medications include: Advair inhaler 100/50 1 puff INH BID; Proventil inhaler 2 puffs INH prn; Singulair 5 mg qHS. Recently, the teacher told my sister that she was performing poorly in her academics in fifth grade. She is disruptive in class and has difficulty focusing and paying attention. At this point, her asthma is well controlled. What is your differential diagnoses (3-4) and your presumptive diagnosis? What diagnostic tools might be used to confirm a diagnosis?.
doctor
Answered by Dr. Dr. Pradeep Kumar Jain (51 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
My presumptive diagnosis is transient mood disorder

Detailed Answer:
Hello

Thanks for the query

Advair contains steroid and long acting bronchodilator.In the given dosage it is a very good medication to control the recurrence of asthma.
Proventil contains albuterol a short acting bronchodilator.It is not advised on a regular basis and should be given if there is aggravation of symptoms.
Singulair is a mast cell stabiliser when given along with Advair and Proventil it increases the efficacy of medication and thus better control of symptoms.
The asthma and its medication is not related to her behavioral abnormality.

I want to know if this behavior is limited to the school only or it remains same at home too.
On the basis of described symptoms my presumptive diagnosis is transient mood disorder.
The differential diagnosis are
1)Attention deficit hyperkinetic disorder(ADHD)-It is unlikely as this is uncommon after 7 years of age,should be present for more than 4 months and in 2 different situations like school and home.
2)Seperation anxiety disorder or school refusal.Here the child due to her separation from care taker(particularly in school) shows abnormal behavior.
Chances are less likely due to the age of onset.
3)Conduct disorder - It is also unlikely as the child should have in addition aggressive or antisocial behavior.
4)Learning disorder is another less likely possibility.

The behavioral disorder are mainly diagnosed on the basis of history and the presence of symptoms.For example for diagnosis of ADHD, 1)
the symptoms should persist for longer duration(4 months),
2)symptoms should include hyperactivity,inattention,impulsiveness,
3)Onset less than 7 years of age
4) In two different situation

So my presumptive diagnosis is transient mood disorder as her symptoms do not fit into any of the above diagnosis.
I suggest you to monitor her behavior at home,ask in detail about her behavior in school and get her evaluated by a pediatrician/psychiatrist if needed.

I hope this helps.
Do ask if you have any more doubts,
Regards

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Dr. Pradeep Kumar Jain (1 hour later)
Wouldn't a transient mood disorder be more likely to exhibit itself in signs of depression or mood swings? She shows no signs of these.

Do you still feel it is more likely a mood disorder and not ADHD?
doctor
Answered by Dr. Dr. Pradeep Kumar Jain (6 hours later)
Brief Answer:
A definite diagnosis can not be labelled at this stage

Detailed Answer:
Thanks for follow up

I can understand what is going in your mind.Although the symptoms are suggestive of ADHD,one can not label her with this diagnosis unless she met all the criteria(unless it is so severe that it is causing personal and social problem).

You are right it may be an early symptom of ADHD. But the diagnosis can be made in follow up only. This is the reason I used the term transient,as in many of the children the symptoms don't last for a long time and improves on its own while few may develop other symptoms(like symptoms of depression or conduct disorder) over a period of time.

I would like to keep her in follow up of counceller/psychiatrist and behavioral therapy as needed.The medication for any specific disorder can be started only after fulfilling the criteria or when the symptoms worsened rapidly.

If you have any more query I shall be glad to answer that.
Regards
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Dr. Pradeep Kumar Jain (35 hours later)
As it turns out, she has been diagnosed with ADHD. I know you cannot prescribe, but I would like to know what pharmacological options exist for the treatment of ADHD? In your opinion, what would be the best initial medication treatment and include dosing details as well as what you might do prior to starting this medication.What non-pharmacological treatment recommendations would you consider for the treatment of ADHD?
doctor
Answered by Dr. Dr. Pradeep Kumar Jain (1 hour later)
Brief Answer:
I prescribe Methylphenidate sustained release tablet once a day

Detailed Answer:
If the diagnosis of ADHD is confirmed I prescribe Methylphenidate sustained release tablet 10 mg once a day in morning before breakfast and refer the child to a pediatric psychiatrist for behavioral therapy.

The advantage of sustained release tablet is that compliance is better and we can avoid multiple dosage.

My diagnosis is usually based on DSM (Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders) criteria and I don't recommend any investigation for diagnosis or before starting the therapy.

I usually ask about the history of Glaucoma, seizure disorder as this drug should not be given in these conditions.

I hope this helps.
Regards
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Vaishalee Punj
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Dr. Pradeep Kumar Jain (43 minutes later)
What about other forms of non-pharmacological treatment such as cognitive therapy, diet,etc.? Any suggestions?
doctor
Answered by Dr. Dr. Pradeep Kumar Jain (22 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
You will get better idea from a child psychiatrist

Detailed Answer:
Non pharmacological treatment should be started simultaneously along with the pharmacological treatment.
There are several methodologies of non pharmacological behavioral therapy for autistic disorder.
As I am not specialized in child psychiatry after confirming the diagnosis and initial medical treatment I refer the child to a specialized child psychiatrist for further management.

I request you to close the discussion and put your queries to a psychiatrist on healthcaremagic platform so that he/she better able to help you out.

If you have any query regarding the general pediatrics I shall be glad to answer.

Regards
Note: For further queries related to your child health, Talk to a Pediatrician. Click here to Book a Consultation.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
Answered by
Dr.
Dr. Dr. Pradeep Kumar Jain

Pediatrician, Cardiology

Practicing since :2006

Answered : 2073 Questions

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Can Asthma Medications Cause Behavioral Abnormality In A Child?

Brief Answer: My presumptive diagnosis is transient mood disorder Detailed Answer: Hello Thanks for the query Advair contains steroid and long acting bronchodilator.In the given dosage it is a very good medication to control the recurrence of asthma. Proventil contains albuterol a short acting bronchodilator.It is not advised on a regular basis and should be given if there is aggravation of symptoms. Singulair is a mast cell stabiliser when given along with Advair and Proventil it increases the efficacy of medication and thus better control of symptoms. The asthma and its medication is not related to her behavioral abnormality. I want to know if this behavior is limited to the school only or it remains same at home too. On the basis of described symptoms my presumptive diagnosis is transient mood disorder. The differential diagnosis are 1)Attention deficit hyperkinetic disorder(ADHD)-It is unlikely as this is uncommon after 7 years of age,should be present for more than 4 months and in 2 different situations like school and home. 2)Seperation anxiety disorder or school refusal.Here the child due to her separation from care taker(particularly in school) shows abnormal behavior. Chances are less likely due to the age of onset. 3)Conduct disorder - It is also unlikely as the child should have in addition aggressive or antisocial behavior. 4)Learning disorder is another less likely possibility. The behavioral disorder are mainly diagnosed on the basis of history and the presence of symptoms.For example for diagnosis of ADHD, 1) the symptoms should persist for longer duration(4 months), 2)symptoms should include hyperactivity,inattention,impulsiveness, 3)Onset less than 7 years of age 4) In two different situation So my presumptive diagnosis is transient mood disorder as her symptoms do not fit into any of the above diagnosis. I suggest you to monitor her behavior at home,ask in detail about her behavior in school and get her evaluated by a pediatrician/psychiatrist if needed. I hope this helps. Do ask if you have any more doubts, Regards