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Minimizing side effects of systemic corticosteroids in children

C T Deshmukh1

  • 1Department of Pediatrics, Seth GS Medical College and KEM Hospital, Mumbai - 400012, India. ctdeshmukh@hotmail.com

Indian Journal of Dermatology, Venereology and Leprology
|August 7, 2007
PubMed

Insights

Corticosteroids can impede children's growth and immunity. Alternate-day treatment and careful dosing can minimize these side effects, with growth hormone showing potential for reversal.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Endocrinology
  • Pharmacology
  • Immunology

Background:

  • Corticosteroids are vital for managing inflammatory and autoimmune diseases.
  • Their anti-inflammatory benefits are linked to metabolic effects, especially in children.
  • Children face heightened vulnerability to corticosteroid side effects, impacting growth, immunity, and adrenal function.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To highlight the unique side effects of corticosteroids in children.
  • To inform physicians about minimizing adverse effects.
  • To discuss strategies for mitigating growth suppression.

Main Methods:

  • Review of existing literature on corticosteroid side effects in pediatric populations.
  • Analysis of growth suppression data related to different corticosteroid types and dosing regimens.
  • Exploration of potential therapeutic interventions for corticosteroid-induced growth impairment.

Main Results:

  • Growth suppression is a significant side effect unique to children treated with corticosteroids.
  • Alternate-day treatment regimens can help mitigate growth suppression.
  • Dexamethasone and betamethasone exhibit significantly higher growth-suppressing potency compared to prednisolone.

Conclusions:

  • Physicians must be aware of and actively manage corticosteroid side effects in children.
  • Optimized dosing and treatment schedules, like alternate-day therapy, are crucial.
  • Further research into interventions such as growth hormone therapy is warranted.

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