{"id":630681,"date":"2024-12-10T10:57:32","date_gmt":"2024-12-10T15:57:32","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/?p=630681"},"modified":"2024-12-10T10:57:32","modified_gmt":"2024-12-10T15:57:32","slug":"prednisone-side-effects-in-kids","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/prednisone-side-effects-in-kids\/","title":{"rendered":"Common prednisone side effects in kids"},"content":{"rendered":"

Prednisone<\/span><\/a> is a prescription corticosteroid that decreases inflammation in the body and suppresses the immune system. It is <\/span>approved by the Food and Drug Administration<\/span><\/a> (FDA) to treat many inflammatory conditions, including rheumatic, dermatologic, gastrointestinal, and respiratory issues. In children, prednisone is primarily prescribed to treat asthma and allergies, as well as<\/span> a rare disease called <\/span>nephrotic syndrome (NS)<\/span><\/a> that affects the kidneys.<\/span><\/p>\n

Prednisone is a generic medication that\u2019s available under the brand names Deltasone, <\/span>Rayos<\/span><\/a>, Prednicot, <\/span>Prednisone Intensol<\/span><\/a>, and Sterapred. If your child has been prescribed prednisone or any of its brand-name versions, you might be concerned about possible side effects. Although prednisone side effects in kids may happen, and it\u2019s understandable that you may have concerns, the<\/span> Academy of American Pediatrics<\/span><\/a> says the benefits of this medication usually outweigh any risks. Your child\u2019s healthcare provider will help your child take prednisone safely. In the meantime, we\u2019ll take a close look at prednisone side effects for kids, including how common they are, what they look like, and how to manage them.<\/span><\/p>\n

What are common Prednisone side effects in children?<\/span><\/h2>\n

Prednisone <\/span>side effects<\/span><\/a> are relatively common. \u201cThey are similar in both kids and adults,\u201d says Raj Dasgupta, MD, a quadruple board-certified physician specializing in internal medicine, pulmonology, critical care, and sleep medicine.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cOral corticosteroids such as prednisone have side effects associated with both dose and duration of therapy, meaning that higher doses and longer use puts you at increased risk for side effects,\u201d he explains. \u201cKids can sometimes be more sensitive to prednisone than adults, but it really depends on how much they\u2019re taking and for how long.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Claudia Cometa, Pharm.D., founder and CEO at <\/span>Peace Advocacy Group<\/span><\/a>, agrees that the side effects of prednisone experienced by kids are similar to those experienced by adults, with the main exceptions being delayed growth and bone thinning in kids. Side effects of delayed growth and bone thinning may be due to chronic use of prednisone, not short-term use. \u201cIn addition, the risk of infections due to suppression of the immune system can be more significant in kids,\u201d Dr. Cometa says. Behavioral changes may also be more common in kids, she adds.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cImportantly, the severity of side effects depends on how long the child is taking prednisone,\u201d says Shilpa Singh, MD, pediatrician and clinical department chair of pediatrics at <\/span>Saint Anthony Hospital<\/span><\/a> in Chicago. \u201cSide effects are more common if used for more than two weeks,\u201d she says. When used to treat asthma in kids, the medication is generally used on a short-term basis of about five to seven days. Short courses of medication reduce the likelihood of serious side effects.<\/span><\/p>\n

Prednisone and mood changes<\/span><\/h3>\n

Prednisone<\/span> may impact your child\u2019s mood<\/span><\/a>. For instance, you may notice your child seeming more moody, anxious, irritable\u2014even angry. You may also notice that your child experiences more frequent mood swings.<\/span><\/p>\n

Prednisone and appetite changes<\/span><\/h3>\n

Children taking prednisone may experience <\/span>increased appetite<\/span><\/a>, causing kids to eat more often and request larger quantities of food. When prednisone is taken long-term, this increased appetite may cause weight gain. Additionally, prednisone can lead to fluid retention, which can further increase weight gain.<\/span><\/p>\n

Prednisone and delayed growth<\/span><\/h3>\n

When taken long-term,<\/span> prednisone can impact your child\u2019s growth<\/span><\/a>, including potentially slowing their growth or decreasing their maximum height. It can also impact their<\/span> bone mineral density and bone mineral content<\/span><\/a>. These are issues your child\u2019s healthcare provider will carefully monitor if your child is prescribed prednisone on a longer-term basis.<\/span><\/p>\n

Prednisone and upset stomach<\/span><\/h3>\n

Prednisone<\/span> can irritate your child\u2019s stomach lining<\/span><\/a>, leading to nausea and an upset stomach. You can avoid this by taking prednisone with food or using physician-approved antacids.<\/span><\/p>\n

Prednisone and sleep<\/span><\/h3>\n

Difficulty sleeping is one of the <\/span>most common side effects of prednisone<\/span><\/a> in kids. Children may have trouble falling asleep or will sleep more restlessly. This is short-term and ends when your child stops taking prednisone.<\/span><\/p>\n

Prednisone and behavior<\/span><\/h3>\n

Prednisone may cause children to act out and <\/span>behave abnormally<\/span><\/a>. Children may seem restless, anxious, and more argumentative. The medication can also decrease their ability to concentrate. These symptoms should be temporary and stop when your child is done taking the medication.<\/span><\/p>\n

Prednisone and blood sugar<\/span><\/h3>\n

In some cases,<\/span> prednisone can cause increased blood sugar (hyperglycemia)<\/span><\/a>. Your child should avoid or limit candy and high-sugar foods and drinks while they\u2019re taking prednisone. Alert your child\u2019s healthcare provider right away if you notice signs of high blood sugar, including excessive thirst, fatigue, and frequent urination, which may manifest as getting up in the night to eat or drink or urinate or having urinary incontinence.<\/span><\/p>\n

Prednisone and swelling<\/span><\/h3>\n

Prednisone<\/span> can cause your child to retain fluids<\/span><\/a>. This can lead to swelling of the ankles as well as facial swelling (Cushing syndrome). Similarly, it can cause elevated blood pressure (hypertension). Sticking to a low-sodium diet can help decrease retention of fluids in the ankles. Still, you should connect with your pediatrician if you notice swelling in any part of your child\u2019s body.<\/span><\/p>\n

Prednisone and the immune system<\/span><\/h3>\n

Prednisone is an immunosuppressant, meaning that it lowers the immune system\u2019s response. This can be helpful if your child\u2019s immune system is overactivated, but taking prednisone comes with the<\/span> side effect of making your child <\/span>more vulnerable to infections, diseases, and injuries<\/span><\/a>. <\/span>It\u2019s vital to discuss any concerns or necessary precautions with your child\u2019s healthcare provider and let them know if your child shows signs of infection.<\/span><\/p>\n

Prednisone alternatives for children<\/span><\/h2>\n

\u201cPrednisone is a first-line treatment for asthma in kids,\u201d Dr. Singh says. It\u2019s used most frequently when children have asthma attacks, which can include serious trouble breathing and can be life-threatening if not treated promptly. Prednisone is usually given on a short-term basis to decrease inflammation in the lungs and<\/span> reduce the chances of a subsequent asthma attack<\/span><\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n

But prednisone isn\u2019t right for everyone. Whether your child may be given an <\/span>alternative to prednisone<\/span><\/a> depends on the condition they have and how severe it is. \u201cAlternatives to oral corticosteroids truly depend on what the kid is being treated for and the risks and benefits of switching to an alternative,\u201d Dr. Dasgupta says. \u201cThis decision must be discussed in detail with the prescribing physician.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

In some cases of asthma, your child\u2019s healthcare provider may prescribe an inhaled version of a corticosteroid. These tend to have fewer effects than oral steroids like prednisone. \u201cIn general, corticosteroids that you take by mouth can affect your entire body compared to topical or inhaled,\u201d Dr. Dasgupta says.<\/span><\/p>\n

Some parents may be curious about <\/span>natural alternatives to prednisone<\/span><\/a>. While there are natural prednisone alternatives that can decrease inflammation, there\u2019s no evidence that they\u2019re effective in treating serious pediatric conditions. \u201cNatural alternatives for inflammation are not evidence-based therapies for medical conditions that need oral corticosteroids for treatment,\u201d Dr. Dasgupta emphasizes.<\/span><\/p>\n

Dr. Cometa says that there are sometimes natural remedies that can be helpful when used in conjunction with traditional medications. \u201cFor treatment of general inflammation, there may be options to use more natural anti-inflammatories, such as quercetin or curcumin,\u201d she suggests. Although research has found that both<\/span> quercetin and curcumin can be helpful with inflammation<\/span><\/a>, there isn\u2019t reliable or substantial research showing that it helps control conditions like asthma in children. Quercetin and curcumin aren\u2019t remedies that pediatricians recommend.<\/span><\/p>\n

Never stop prednisone or switch to a prednisone alternative without speaking to your healthcare provider. \u201cYou should always speak with your healthcare provider first if you are having side effects from oral corticosteroids and discuss possible alternatives,\u201d Dr. Dagupta says.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

RELATED:<\/b> Prednisone vs. prednisolone<\/b><\/a><\/p>\n

How to manage prednisone side effects in children<\/span><\/h2>\n

The prednisone dose your child will be given will depend on their age, what condition is being treated, and their particular medical situation. \u201cAn average pediatric dose of prednisone would be 1\u20132 mg\/kg\/day divided once to twice daily,\u201d according to Dr. Cometa, who notes that higher doses are typically associated with a higher incidence of side effects.<\/span><\/p>\n

Dr. Dasgupta shared some strategies for minimizing side effects in children:<\/span><\/p>\n