Exogenous Cushing syndrome from an unexpected source of systemic steroids

A 12-year-old Hispanic boy with chronic atopic dermatitis and cushingoid features presented to our institution. He was being treated with an unknown quantity of oral prednisolone 15 mg/5 mL, equivalent to 70 mg/m² /d of oral prednisone, purchased over the counter in El Salvador. Systemic corticosteroids are not recommended for chronic therapy of atopic dermatitis because of their significant adverse effects. Foreign-sourced pharmaceuticals account for almost half of the drugs consumed in the United States, which means that, to protect our patients, medical providers must inquire about and report unsafe medications deemed legal outside the United States to the Food and Drug Administration.