Short-term growth after withdrawal of exogenous glucocorticoids

Background: The growth-suppressive effect of systemic glucocorticoids in children is well established, however, recovery of growth after withdrawal of short-term treatment in school-age children has not been evaluated. Objective: To assess short-term growth after withdrawal of systemic glucocorticoids. Methods: A post-hoc analysis of data from a double-blind lower leg growth trial which compared 5 mg prednisolone once daily in the evening with placebo was performed. The study consisted of run-in, treatment, wash-out and run-out periods of 1 week duration. In 10 children with asthma ( mean age 11 years) lower leg growth measured with the knemometer could be studied up to 3 weeks after withdrawal of prednisolone. Results: Mean (SEM) lower leg growth rates during run-in, prednisolone treatment and the first, second and third weeks after withdrawal of prednisolone were 0.48 (0.15), - 0.27 (0.20), 0.53 (0.19), 0.72 (0.16) and 0.66 (0.14) mm/week, p < 0.001. Mean growth rates during run-in and the first, second and third weeks after withdrawal of prednisolone did not vary, p = 0.68. Conclusion: Recovery of suppressed lower leg growth rates occurs within a week after withdrawal of exogenous glucocorticoids. Copyright (C) 2005 S. Karger AG, Basel.