The impact of corticosteroids on the developing animal

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Updated: Oct 4, 2026

Primary Culture of Rat Adrenocortical Cells and Assays of Steroidogenic Functions
04:33

Primary Culture of Rat Adrenocortical Cells and Assays of Steroidogenic Functions

Published on: March 12, 2019

H E Edwards1, W M Burnham

  • 1Bloorview Epilepsy Research Program and the Department of PharmacologyUniversity of Toronto, Faculty of Medicine, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.

Pediatric Research
|September 25, 2001
PubMed

Insights

Infant exposure to corticosteroids, from stress or medication, may harm development. Animal studies suggest caution with exogenous corticosteroids and protecting infants from stress is crucial.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Endocrinology
  • Neuroscience
  • Developmental Biology

Background:

  • Infants experience endogenous and exogenous corticosteroid exposure during critical pre- and postnatal periods.
  • Maternal or infant stress activates the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis, increasing endogenous corticosteroids.
  • Physician-administered exogenous corticosteroids are common for various infant conditions.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the potential long-term effects of corticosteroid exposure on developing humans.
  • To synthesize findings from animal studies regarding the impact of stress and exogenous corticosteroids on infant development.
  • To inform clinical practice regarding the cautious use of corticosteroids and the protection of the developing brain.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of studies on corticosteroid effects in developing humans and animals.
  • Analysis of animal model data on the impact of endogenous and exogenous corticosteroids on physiological and behavioral outcomes.
  • Synthesis of evidence regarding HPA axis function and developmental trajectories.

Main Results:

  • Long-term effects of corticosteroids on human infant development are not well-established.
  • Animal studies indicate deleterious, long-lasting effects of both stress-induced and exogenous corticosteroids on the body, brain, and behavior.
  • These effects extend to the developing hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis.

Conclusions:

  • Exogenous corticosteroids in infants warrant cautious administration and thorough benefit/risk assessment.
  • Protecting the developing infant brain from pre- and postnatal stress is essential.
  • Further research is needed to elucidate the specific long-term impacts on human development.

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