Bone status of children aged 5-8 years, treated with dexamethasone for chronic lung disease of prematurity.
BACKGROUND
It is not known whether treatment with dexamethasone in the neonatal period may lead to reduced bone mineral density in childhood.


METHODS
Anthropometric and bone densitometry measurements were taken of children aged 5-8 years who had chronic lung disease (CLD) in the neonatal period (n = 22). 15 of these children were treated with dexamethasone. A control group consisted of children born preterm who did not develop CLD (n = 29).


RESULTS
Total body bone mineral content and bone mineral apparent density of the lumbar spine were lower in children whose CLD was treated with dexamethasone in the neonatal period, compared with the preterm controls.


CONCLUSIONS
Dexamethasone treatment in the neonatal period appears to cause impairment of mineralisation which persists into childhood.
Eelloo
J A
JA
Department of Neonatology and Paediatrics, St Mary's Hospital for Women and Children, Hathersage Road, Manchester M13 0JH, UK.
Roberts
S A
SA
Emmerson
A J B
AJ
Ward
K A
KA
Adams
J E
JE
Mughal
M Z
MZ
D015519:Bone Density / Q000187:drug effects*; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D002908:Chronic Disease; D003907:Dexamethasone / Q000009:adverse effects*; D005260:Female; D005938:Glucocorticoids / Q000009:adverse effects*; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007234:Infant, Premature; D007235:Infant, Premature, Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy*; D008171:Lung Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy*; D008297:Male; D010865:Pilot Projects
D005938:Glucocorticoids; D003907:Dexamethasone