Monitoring adverse reaction to steroid therapy in children.
Patients on corticosteroid therapy, specially for a long period are likely to develop many adverse effects related to the therapy. A physician should be conversant with these to ensure early detection, management and prevention, where possible. Thus, all patients on a long-term corticosteroid therapy should have a baseline and 3 monthly assessments for weight, height, blood pressure and other clinical features of Cushing's syndrome. A 2 hours postprandial blood sugar and serum electrolyte estimation should also be included. Ophthalmic evaluation for glaucoma and cataract should be carried out at 6 monthly intervals and densitometry annually for early detection of osteopenia. In addition, a high index of suspicion should be maintained for timely detection of infections, avascular bone necrosis, myopathy and pseudotumor cerebri.
Seth
Anju
A
Department of Pediatrics, Lady Hardinge Medical College and Kalawati Saran Childrens Hospital, New Delhi 110 001, India. docaseth@bol.net.in
Aggarwal
Anu
A
D002648:Child; D003480:Cushing Syndrome / Q000139:chemically induced; D041981:Gastrointestinal Tract / Q000187:drug effects; D005901:Glaucoma / Q000139:chemically induced; D005938:Glucocorticoids / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects*; D006801:Humans; D006943:Hyperglycemia / Q000139:chemically induced; D010020:Osteonecrosis / Q000139:chemically induced
D005938:Glucocorticoids