What Are the Dangers of Steroids in Toddlers?
Significance A couple of new studies published in 2009 in the New England Journal of Medicine called into question the regular use of oral or inhaled steroids to treat wheezing and asthmatic symptoms in young children. While doctors want to comfort children and reassure their parents by helping them overcome wheezing due to allergies or viruses, the studies show that the steroid treatments have little benefit and might stunt growth or impact bone density. Occasional use of topical corticosteroids such as hydrocortisone doesn’t appear to pose serious risks, even for young children, but the lowest dose possible should be used for the shortest time possible to minimize exposure and lessen the possibility of side effects. Considerations While steroid use to treat occasional wheezing has been proven ineffective, the benefits of using steroids to treat children under the age of 5 with moderate to severe asthma often outweigh the risk of side effects. The side effects of steroid use, includin
