A

Systematic reviews and randomized controlled trials consistently show that inhaled corticosteroids (e.g., budesonide, fluticasone) lower the risk of severe exacerbations requiring hospitalization compared with cromones such as sodium cromoglicate or nedocromil in pediatric asthma [Bisgaard, 1997, PMID 9048852; CAMP Research Group, 2000, PMID 10923155].