β2-Agonists for asthma

Inhaled β-agonists are commonly prescribed for the treatment of wheezing disorders in infants and children. Despite this, there are concerns that these medications have potentially detrimental effects on lung health and symptoms. We will review the ontogeny of β-agonist receptor and smooth muscle development from fetal life through infancy and childhood as well as the evidence supporting the clinical utility of β-agonists in wheezing infants and asthmatic children. Finally, the potential detrimental effects of long-and short-acting β-agonists in infants and children are discussed.