This is an automatically translated article.
Article by Pharmacist Nguyen Thi Thanh Nga - Clinical Pharmacist - Faculty of Pharmacy - Vinmec Times City International Hospital
Corticosteroids are a group of anti-inflammatory drugs that are prescribed by doctors to treat many different diseases. However, this group of drugs can affect the height of children. Therefore, to avoid side effects, parents should let their children use them according to the instructions, not arbitrarily give them to children to use indiscriminately.
Corticosteroids are not only used with preparations oral or injectable drugs, but also used in single form or in combination in nasal sprays, inhalations, aerosols, skin creams/fats...
2. Corticosteroids can affect the height development of children. young? Decrease in height in children using corticosteroids is not uncommon, often occurs in children using corticosteroids with a daily dose regimen, less often in children using a alternate daily dose regimen and can even occur when using corticosteroids. inhaled corticosteroids.
This adverse effect can occur even without seeing other side effects such as rapid, disproportionate weight gain, characterized by round face, fat in many areas of the body, lipoma on the nape of the neck, stretch marks. belly, hirsutism ...
Corticosteroids inhibit the growth of children through many different mechanisms. Important known mechanisms include influence on the secretion and activity of endocrine hormone (GH) and metabolic processes (involved in bone formation, collagen, decreased intestinal calcium absorption, increased urinary calcium excretion, etc.).
Growth hormone GH is secreted by the pituitary gland and is regulated by the hypothalamus. The degree of impact of corticosteroids on growth depends on each specific corticosteroid active ingredient, route of administration, dose regimen and duration of drug use.
Suy giảm chiều cao ở trẻ em là tác hại của corticoid
Long-acting corticosteroids often adversely affect the growth of children the most. The higher the dose and the longer the drug is used, the more growth is affected. Usually, if corticosteroids are stopped, a child's growth can return. However, long-term use of oral or parenteral corticosteroids can have long-term effects on the growth of children even when the regimen is stopped. Corticosteroid-induced growth retardation can occur even with inhaled formulations with prolonged use during childhood. According to current scientific data, the magnitude of the effects of inhaled corticosteroids is generally quite low. And even asthma and other chronic diseases can affect a child's height and development.
Topical corticosteroids are hidden in many types of skin preparations alone or in combination with other antibacterial and antifungal active ingredients. The use of long-acting potent corticosteroids, or extensive application and compression, increases the risk of systemic absorption in children. Young children have thin skin, easy to absorb corticosteroids into the blood and have systemic effects. The continuous use of corticosteroids, even mild to moderate effects, can cause systemic effects and inhibit the hypothalamic-pituitary axis, affecting the development of young children. According to data from a meta-analysis of more than 500 children 3 months to 18 years of age who received topical corticosteroids for 2 to 4 weeks, hypothalamic-pituitary axis suppression was observed in 20 children (approximately approx. 4%).
Trong trường hợp sử dụng corticoid bôi da ở trẻ nhỏ, bạn cần đọc kỹ hướng dẫn sử dụng của sản phẩm
3. How to prevent and limit the bad effects of corticosteroids on children's height development? Do not arbitrarily use drugs for children without the examination and advice of a doctor. You should only use corticosteroids for children when prescribed by a doctor, do not arbitrarily buy more prescriptions without being re-evaluated by the doctor or not discussed with the treating doctor. You need to give your child the correct dose as prescribed, do not increase or decrease the dose on your own. Usually, your doctor will choose the most suitable corticosteroid with the lowest possible dose and for the shortest possible time.
In case you do not know the effect of prescribed drugs, you should ask your doctor or pharmacist for complete information before use.
In the case of using topical corticosteroids in children, you need to carefully read the instructions for use of the product, take an appropriate amount of the medicine according to the instructions and apply a thin layer on the skin. Avoid applying pressure to the area where the medicine is applied and avoid applying it immediately after taking a hot bath.
Prolonged use of corticosteroids may be necessary in some cases of chronic disease in children. You need to do exactly as your doctor prescribes and advises, you should not stop taking your medicine for fear of side effects. Please discuss with the doctor all abnormal signs on the child for further advice or timely treatment when necessary.
For children using long-term corticosteroids, a reasonable diet rich in protein, calcium, vitamin D and limited saturated fat, sugar and sweets, along with a moderate exercise regimen is very important. important.
Normally, a child's height can increase by age as follows:
From 2-4 years old: 5.5 - 9cm/year From 4-6 years old: 5 - 8.5cm/year From 6 years old - before Puberty: 4-6cm/year (for boys) and 4.5-6.5cm/year (for girls) During puberty, children can grow 6-14cm/year. If you feel that your child's physical or skill development is not appropriate for his age or shows signs of anorexia, growth retardation, you can take your child to a medical examination and nutrition consultation as well as check and evaluate the other issues to ensure optimal child development.
With many years of experience in examining and treating diseases in children, now the Pediatrics Department at Vinmec International General Hospital has become one of the major health care centers, capable of examining , screening and treatment of many specialized diseases in children. Therefore, if the child shows signs of developmental delay for his age, parents can take the child to Vinmec International General Hospital for examination and receive support and advice from doctors and experts. nutrition.
Please dial HOTLINE for more information or register for an appointment HERE. Download MyVinmec app to make appointments faster and to manage your bookings easily.
