title: Pulse steroid therapy.
abstract: Intravenous supra-pharmacological doses of corticosteroids are used in various inflammatory and autoimmune conditions because they are cumulatively less toxic than sustained steroid treatment at lower quantitative dosage. Their action is supposed to be mediated through non-genomic actions within the cell. Common indications for use in children include steroid resistant and steroid dependent nephrotic syndrome, rapidly progressive glomerulonephritis, systemic vasculitis, systemic lupus erythematosus, acute renal allograft rejection, juvenile rheumatoid arthritis, juvenile dermatomyositis, pemphigus, optic neuritis, multiple sclerosis and acute disseminated encephalomyelitis. Methylprednisolone and dexamethasone show similar efficacy in most conditions. Therapy is associated with significant side effects including worsening of hypertension, infections, dyselectrolytemia and behavioral effects. Adequate monitoring is essential during usage.
authors.affiliation: Division of Nephrology, Department of Pediatrics, All India Institute of Medical Sciences New Delhi, Ansari Nagar, New Delhi, India.
authors.forename: Aditi
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Sinha
authors.forename: Arvind
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Bagga
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001682:Biological Availability; D002648:Child; D002985:Clinical Protocols; D003907:Dexamethasone / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000493:pharmacokinetics; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D005938:Glucocorticoids / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000493:pharmacokinetics; D006801:Humans; D007275:Injections, Intravenous; D008297:Male; D008775:Methylprednisolone / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000493:pharmacokinetics; D020551:Pulse Therapy, Drug
chemical_list: D005938:Glucocorticoids; D003907:Dexamethasone; D008775:Methylprednisolone