Intraocular pressure profile of a child on a systemic corticosteroid.
OBJECTIVE
To report the ocular hypertensive response to high-dose systemic corticosteroid in a pediatric patient.


METHODS
Observational case report.


METHODS
A 9-year-old patient with leukemia received oral prednisolone at a dosage of 2.3 mg/kg/d for 5 weeks, followed by a 4-month break and then a 4-week course of oral dexamethasone at 10 mg/d. Detailed ocular examination was performed for both eyes before and regularly throughout the two courses of treatment.


RESULTS
The intraocular pressure in both eyes rose to almost 40 mm Hg after only 8 days of oral corticosteroid. On stopping systemic corticosteroid, the intraocular pressure rapidly returned to baseline level within 2 days. A similar intraocular pressure profile was recorded for both eyes during the course of oral dexamethasone. The patient remained largely asymptomatic throughout.


CONCLUSIONS
Systemic corticosteroid may give rise to significant but asymptomatic ocular hypertension in pediatric patients.
Tham
Clement C Y
CC
Department of Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, People's Republic of China. clemtham@hkstar.com
Ng
Joan S K
JS
Li
Randa T H
RT
Chik
Ki Wai
KW
Lam
Dennis S C
DS
D000284:Administration, Oral; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D005938:Glucocorticoids / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects*; D006801:Humans; D007429:Intraocular Pressure / Q000187:drug effects*; D009798:Ocular Hypertension / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000503:physiopathology; D054198:Precursor Cell Lymphoblastic Leukemia-Lymphoma / Q000188:drug therapy; D011239:Prednisolone / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects*
D005938:Glucocorticoids; D011239:Prednisolone