Multiple short courses of corticosteroids in children

Abstract

Background Corticosteroids are adrenal steroid hormones responsible for immune homeostasis, blood pressure regulation, energy and appetite regulation, and suppression of inflammation. Oral corticosteroids ('steroids') are commonly used in children for a number of medical conditions, including asthma, croup, inflammatory bowel disease and nephrotic syndrome. There has been some concern about potential side effects of oral, topical or inhaled steroids, including reduction in growth, weight gain, behavioural changes and immunosuppression resulting in infection.