To compare lung delivery of fluticasone propionate delivered by HFA-pMDI, using a conventional polycarbonate of anti-static chamber/mask in a randomized crossover design in 1-6 year old children.

Hypothesis: Anti-static chamber/mask would increase the amount of inhaled corticosteroid delivered to young children who passively inhale and cannot breath hold.

Objective -- to determine whether an anti-static chamber increases the one-hour steady-state fluticasone plasma concentration, which is an indirect measure of airway delivery and direct measure of systemic exposure. Twelve children 1-6 yrs with well-controlled persistent asthma were treated with HFA-FP pMDI, 2 actuations of 110 µg twice daily. The drug was administered by conventional polycarbonate or anti-static valved-holding chambers with masks in an unblinded, randomized, crossover manner each for at least three days. A blood sample was collected one hour after the last dose when adherence documented by electronic monitor was 100%. FP plasma concentrations were measured by liquid chromatography mass spectrometry assay. Results evaluated using regression analysis.

Inclusion Criteria:

• children 1-6 years old; adequately controlled persistent asthma; currently receiving FP delivered by CFC MDI attached to valved-holding chamber/mask; ability to use chamber with mask effectively

Exclusion Criteria:

• inadequately controlled asthma: nocturnal awakening > 2 nights/month, prn albuterol use > 2x/week, more than 2 short courses of oral corticosteroids in previous 3 months, missing a dose on more than one occasion, increase in asthma symptoms during study, inability to discontinue intranasal or dermal fluticasone for 3 days