title: Children and adolescents previously treated with glucocorticoids display lower verbal intellectual abilities.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Perinatal exposure to glucocorticoids has been associated with adverse cerebral effects, but little is known about their effect on cognitive development and exposure later in childhood. This study examined intellectual abilities, memory and behavioural problems in children previously treated with glucocorticoids.
  
  
  METHODS
  We evaluated 38 children aged from seven to 16 years, who had been treated with glucocorticoids for rheumatic disease or nephrotic syndrome, together with 42 healthy controls matched for age, gender and parental education. The median cumulative dose of prednisolone equivalents was 158 mg/kg (range 21-723) and the mean time that had elapsed since treatment was three-and-a-half (standard deviation 2.2) years. Intellectual abilities were assessed with the Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children and memory performance and behavioural problems with a pattern recognition memory task and the Child Behaviour Check List.
  
  
  RESULTS
  There were no significant differences between the groups in pattern recognition memory, perceptual organisation index or behavioural problems, but patients had a significantly lower verbal comprehension index and this difference was present in both disease groups. There were no significant dose-response relationships regarding verbal intellectual abilities.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Children and adolescents previously treated with glucocorticoids seemed to have lower intellectual verbal abilities than healthy controls.
authors: Department of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, Neuropediatric Unit, Copenhagen University Hospital Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark.|Danish Research Centre for Magnetic Resonance, Centre for Functional and Diagnostic Imaging and Research, Copenhagen University Hospital, Hvidovre, Denmark.
authors: Sara Krøis
authors: SK
authors: Holm
authors: Danish Research Centre for Magnetic Resonance, Centre for Functional and Diagnostic Imaging and Research, Copenhagen University Hospital, Hvidovre, Denmark.
authors: Martin
authors: M
authors: Vestergaard
authors: Danish Research Centre for Magnetic Resonance, Centre for Functional and Diagnostic Imaging and Research, Copenhagen University Hospital, Hvidovre, Denmark.
authors: Kathrine Skak
authors: KS
authors: Madsen
authors: Danish Research Centre for Magnetic Resonance, Centre for Functional and Diagnostic Imaging and Research, Copenhagen University Hospital, Hvidovre, Denmark.
authors: William F C
authors: WF
authors: Baaré
authors: Danish Research Centre for Magnetic Resonance, Centre for Functional and Diagnostic Imaging and Research, Copenhagen University Hospital, Hvidovre, Denmark.
authors: Trine Bjørg
authors: TB
authors: Hammer
authors: Department of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, Neuropediatric Unit, Copenhagen University Hospital Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark.
authors: Alfred Peter
authors: AP
authors: Born
authors: Danish Research Centre for Magnetic Resonance, Centre for Functional and Diagnostic Imaging and Research, Copenhagen University Hospital, Hvidovre, Denmark.|Department of Neurology, Copenhagen University Hospital Bispebjerg, Copenhagen, Denmark.
authors: Hartwig R
authors: HR
authors: Siebner
authors: Danish Research Centre for Magnetic Resonance, Centre for Functional and Diagnostic Imaging and Research, Copenhagen University Hospital, Hvidovre, Denmark.|Neurobiology Research Unit, Copenhagen University Hospital Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark.
authors: Olaf B
authors: OB
authors: Paulson
authors: Department of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, Neuropediatric Unit, Copenhagen University Hospital Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark.
authors: Peter V
authors: PV
authors: Uldall
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D005938:Glucocorticoids / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D007361:Intelligence Tests; D008297:Male; D009404:Nephrotic Syndrome / Q000188:drug therapy; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012216:Rheumatic Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy; D013064:Speech Disorders / Q000139:chemically induced*
chemical_list: D005938:Glucocorticoids
keywords: Behavioural problems; Chronic disease; Glucocorticoids; Intellectual abilities; Memory