The influence of intravenous hydrocortisone on cytokine levels in children with asthma.

Nocturnal airway obstruction occurs frequently in childhood asthma and results from increased airway inflammation. Lymphocytes are believed to be key effector cells of airway wall inflammation, releasing pro-inflammatory mediators and cytokines. A previous study showed that hydrocortisone infusion, an effective anti-inflammatory treatment, improves nocturnal and daytime FEV(1) values.