title: Neonatal glucocorticoids and the developing brain: short-term treatment with life-long consequences?
abstract: Although synthetic glucocorticoids are frequently used in hospital for the prevention of chronic lung disease in premature infants, major concern has arisen about the possible long-term consequences of these treatments. Animal research provides evidence for the idea that neonatal glucocorticoid treatment enhances susceptibility to autoimmune disease in adult life. Altered functioning of the hypothalamo-pituitary-adrenal axis, and/or changes at higher brain levels might underlie alterations in disease susceptibility.
authors.affiliation: Dept of Neonatology, Wilhelmina Children's Hospital of the University Medical Center, Lundlaan 6, 3584 EA, Utrecht, The Netherlands. j.m.bakker-2@wkz.azu.nl
authors.forename: J M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Bakker
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: van Bel
authors.forename: C J
authors.initials: CJ
authors.lastname: Heijnen
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000831:Animals, Newborn; D001921:Brain / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000254:growth & development*; D004298:Dopamine / Q000502:physiology; D004837:Epinephrine / Q000378:metabolism; D005938:Glucocorticoids / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D007030:Hypothalamo-Hypophyseal System / Q000187:drug effects / Q000254:growth & development; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D009638:Norepinephrine / Q000378:metabolism; D010913:Pituitary-Adrenal System / Q000187:drug effects / Q000254:growth & development; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D005938:Glucocorticoids; D004298:Dopamine; D009638:Norepinephrine; D004837:Epinephrine