Adverse Effects of Topical Corticosteroid Usage in Children: A Review
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.58445/rars.3897Keywords:
Eczema, Atopic Dermatitis, Literature Review, Topical Corticosteroids, ChildrenAbstract
This review explores the long-term effects of topical corticosteroid (TCS) use in children with atopic dermatitis, focusing on adverse outcomes associated with treatment lasting longer than one year. While TCS are the first-line therapy for managing eczema flares due to their powerful anti-inflammatory properties, their prolonged use in pediatric populations has raised concerns about both local effects (such as skin atrophy and perioral dermatitis) and systemic risks, including effects like hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis suppression and growth delay (Fisher, 1995; Stacey & McEleney, 2021). This review outlines the pharmacological mechanisms of TCS, current best practice treatment regimens, and age-specific considerations in pediatric care. Clinical data suggest intermittent or proactive use of low to moderate potency TCS can be safe in the short term, but evidence for long-term safety remains limited and inconsistent (Harvey et al., 2023; Kamiya et al., 2022). This gap in research may complicate decision-making for clinicians and caregivers, namely when balancing disease control against potential harms. By reviewing findings from clinical trials and review papers, this paper aims to inform safer, more effective treatment strategies for children requiring long-term eczema management.
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