QVAR TM , an extrafine hydrofluoroalkane/beclomethasone dipropionate formulation, has been shown to double lung deposition in adults. The aim of the present study was to assess the total body deposition and distribution of technetium99m-labelled ( 99m Tc) QVAR TM in children after inhalation via an Autohaler TM . Sixteen male asthmatic children (5-14 yrs) inhaled labelled drug (v4 MBq 99m Tc; 100 mg beclomethasone dipropionate) via an Autohaler within 30 min after salbutamol (200 mg) administration. Simultaneous anterior and posterior planar scintigraphic scans (120 s acquisition time) were collected after inhalation of labelled drug.Mean¡SD lung deposition of labelled drug (attenuation-corrected; percentage of ex-actuator dose) was 36.9¡9.2, 46.5¡11.6 and 54.1¡10.7% in children aged 5-7, 8-10 and 11-14 yrs, respectively. Combined oropharyngeal and gastrointestinal deposition was 59.7¡8.2, 48.9¡12.3 and 40.3¡11.8%. Lung deposition positively correlated with the forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1) and forced vital capacity (FVC). Gastrointestinal dose negatively correlated with the FEV1, FVC, height and age.In older children (11-14 yrs), lung deposition was almost identical to that reported in adults using QVAR TM . In children aged 5-10 yrs, lung deposition using QVAR TM was greater than the levels measured using other commercial aerosol delivery systems. Oropharygeal and gastrointestinal deposition was inversely related to age.