Health

Steroid Therapy for a Short Period of Time

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Our adrenal and reproductive glands create steroid hormones in their natural state. Steroids come in a variety of forms, each with its own set of effects on the body.

Prednisolone, budesonide, hydrocortisone, dexamethasone, fludrocortisone, and methylprednisolone are some of the most often utilized steroid-usa. Corticosteroids are a type of steroid. They’re not the same as anabolic (performance-boosting) drugs.

What method is used to deliver it?

Steroids are administered orally as pills or soluble tablets.

They can also be delivered intravenously (IV) using a cannula, central venous catheter, or implanted port into a vein.

What are the possible negative consequences?

The most typical:

  • Behavioral changes
  • Your youngster may get irritated and experience mood fluctuations, as well as revert to previous childhood behaviors like temper tantrums. While this is usually only a temporary situation, your doctor or nurse can provide you with guidance and assistance. Your child may feel hungrier and eat more than normal as a result of an increase in appetite, which can lead to weight gain. A well-balanced diet may be beneficial. Weight gain can also be caused by increased fluid retention. To relieve stomach irritation, take steroid medications with or after meals.
  • If your child is given a brief course of steroids, he or she is unlikely to experience many negative effects. Any that they do come across are only temporary and will be removed after the course is completed.
  • Gaining weight
  • Inflammation of the stomach lining

Less frequently used:

These adverse effects usually appear after a lengthy period of use or at high doses.

  • Gaining weight
  • After long-term steroid medication, your child’s face may appear rounder than usual. Your child may get stretch marks, especially on their tummy and thighs, if they’ve gained a lot of weight.
  • Your child might complain of a headache or dizziness. Steroids can produce a spike in blood sugar levels that lasts only a few hours. Keep an eye out for increased thirst and a need to go to the bathroom more frequently than normal. Long-term or high-dose steroid medication may cause your child’s growth to be stunted, and their bones may shrink. We’ll keep a tight eye on them during treatment to make sure this doesn’t happen.
  • Blood pressure that is too high
  • Blood sugar levels fluctuate.
  • Effect on bone growth and/or thinning

Is there anything else I should be aware of?

Immunizations

Steroids impair your child’s immune system, so if they’re on a high dose of injectable or oral steroids, they shouldn’t get any “live” vaccines. However, they must be current on all other immunizations in order to avoid contracting one of the diseases that vaccination protects against.
If you have any additional children, they should be immunised as well.
Although children are routinely given the chicken pox vaccine, we recommend that siblings or other close family members get it if your child is taking high-dose steroids. For further information on immunisations, please contact your doctor.

Chicken pox

If your child hasn’t had chicken pox but comes into touch with one or develops it within 48 hours, get medical attention right away. In youngsters on steroids, chicken pox can be more severe. We’ll schedule a blood test to assess your child’s chicken pox antibodies, and your child may require an injection to protect themselves, but your doctor or nurse will discuss this with you.
If your child develops chicken pox, steroid treatment may need to be discontinued. This will be discussed with you by your doctor.

Infections

Infections are more likely in a youngster who is taking steroids. Please notify your doctor or nurse if they develop a fever or become ill.

Routine examinations

While on steroid medication, your child’s weight, blood pressure, and urine should all be checked regularly. These examinations are normally performed by your GP, a local hospital, or community nurses.

Short-term steroid treatment recommendations in general

• A steroid card will be sent to you if your child is on steroids for more than two weeks. Show this card to any child’s health care provider.
• If your child has been on steroids for more than a few weeks and falls ill after discontinuing the medication or requires surgery, their natural production of steroids (which helps a child respond to a stressful environment) will be diminished. To get through this time, they may require a short course of steroids.
• Medicines should be kept in a secure location away from children.
• Medicines should be kept in a cool, dry place.
• Steroids should be taken with food at the same time every day, as instructed by your doctor, nurse, or pharmacist. If a child on twice-daily steroids takes their second dose too late in the evening, they may have trouble sleeping, so make sure it’s given by late afternoon.
• If your child is on a long course of steroids or is taking large doses, your doctor will lessen the dose gradually. Return any remaining tablets to the pharmacist when your kid has completed the course. Do not dispose of or flush them down the toilet.
• Tell your doctor or nurse if your kid vomits after taking the dose, since he or she may require another. Don’t give them another dose until you’ve consulted with the doctor.
• If you forget to give your child their dose, don’t offer them a second.

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