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Glucocorticoid-associated Bradycardia

Anne van der Gugten1, Marc Bierings, Joost Frenkel

  • 1Utrecht University Medical School, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands.

Journal of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology
|April 1, 2008
PubMed

Insights

Glucocorticoid therapy in children can cause a significant reduction in heart rate, sometimes leading to sinus bradycardia. This common early side effect requires monitoring during treatment.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Endocrinology
  • Cardiovascular Pharmacology

Background:

  • Glucocorticoids are widely used in pediatric medicine.
  • Known side effects of glucocorticoid therapy are diverse.
  • The impact on heart rate in children is not fully elucidated.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the relationship between glucocorticoid therapy and heart rate changes in children.
  • To identify potential early cardiac side effects of glucocorticoid treatment.

Main Methods:

  • Retrospective analysis of patient charts.
  • Inclusion of 61 children treated with prednisone (1-5 mg/kg/d equivalent).
  • Monitoring of heart rate and pulse rate percentiles.

Main Results:

  • A significant decrease in heart rate (31 beats/min) observed within 72 hours.
  • 63.9% of children experienced pulse rates below the 2.5th percentile for age.
  • No symptoms of reduced cardiac output were reported.

Conclusions:

  • Glucocorticoid treatment in children commonly leads to early heart rate reduction.
  • Sinus bradycardia is a potential side effect of glucocorticoid therapy.
  • Close cardiac monitoring may be warranted during pediatric glucocorticoid treatment.
Abstract

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