Ultrasound of skin in prednisolone-induced short-term growth suppression.
OBJECTIVE
To assess the thickness of the cutis and subcutis in children with prednisolone-induced knemometric growth suppression.


METHODS
A double blind, placebo-controlled crossover trial with two 7-day treatment periods.


METHODS
Twenty children with asthma aged 7.7 to 13.8 (mean 10.4) years.


METHODS
5 mg prednisolone/day.


METHODS
Lower leg growth rate, thickness of cutis and subcutis and the fraction of low echogenic pixels determined by ultrasound.


RESULTS
Mean lower leg growth rate was -0.23 during prednisolone, 0.58 mm/week during placebo treatment (p < 0.01). Mean total thickness of cutis and subcutis over the knee was reduced by 0.28 during prednisolone, increased by 0.07 mm/week during placebo treatment (p = 0.04). Lower leg growth rate was positively correlated to changes in thickness of cutis and subcutis (p = 0.04; r = 0.31).


CONCLUSIONS
Reductions in thickness of cutis and subcutis may account for some of the lower leg growth suppression caused by systemic glucocorticoids.
D000886:Anthropometry / Q000379:methods*; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001249:Asthma / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000503:physiopathology; D001834:Body Water / Q000378:metabolism; D002648:Child; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D006128:Growth / Q000187:drug effects*; D006801:Humans; D007866:Leg / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000254:growth & development*; D008297:Male; D011239:Prednisolone / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D012129:Respiratory Function Tests; D012867:Skin / Q000737:chemistry / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D012885:Skinfold Thickness; D014463:Ultrasonography
D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents; D011239:Prednisolone