Frequent methylprednisone pulse therapy is a risk factor for steroid cataracts in children.
BACKGROUND
Pediatricians use corticosteroids for prolonged periods of time for the treatment of many diseases, including rheumatic disease. The side-effects of corticosteroids, especially cataracts, are widely recognized, but the predictive risk factors for steroid-induced cataracts have not yet been fully characterized.


METHODS
The relationship between the formation of cataracts and steroid therapy was evaluated in patients with rheumatic disease.


RESULTS
The initiation of steroid therapy in children under 12 years of age (P = 0.041) and i.v. methylprednisone pulse therapy (IVMP) (P = 0.046) are significant risk factors for inducing cataracts. In contrast, the cumulative corticosteroid dose, sex, and daily corticosteroid dose were not associated with cataract formation.


CONCLUSIONS
Younger children, who need frequent IVMP to treat their rheumatic diseases, should be examined by ophthalmologists frequently to avoid developing amblyopia from cataracts.
Nerome
Yasuhito
Y
Department of Pediatrics, Kagoshima University Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Kagoshima, Japan. nerome@m.kufm.kagoshima-u.ac.jp
Imanaka
Hiroyuki
H
Nonaka
Yukiko
Y
Takei
Syuji
S
Kawano
Yoshifumi
Y
D002386:Cataract / Q000139:chemically induced; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D005938:Glucocorticoids / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011241:Prednisone / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects*; D020551:Pulse Therapy, Drug; D012216:Rheumatic Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy; D012307:Risk Factors
D005938:Glucocorticoids; D011241:Prednisone