Differential effects of short-term prednisolone treatment on peripheral and abdominal subcutaneous thickness in children assessed by ultrasound

Abstract

Long-term glucocorticoid excess decreases peripheral and increases abdominal subcutaneous thickness. Short-term prednisolone treatment is used in the treatment of many acute and chronic conditions in children. The aim of the present study was to elucidate if changes in thickness of cutis, subcutis, or dermal water content may be induced by short-term prednisolone treatment in children. Twenty children with asthma aged 7.7–13.8 years were included in a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled crossover trial. Active treatment was 5 mg prednisolone daily. Treatment, run-in, and wash-out periods were 1 week. On days 1 and 7 of each treatment period, 20 MHz ultrasound scanning of the skin was performed on the thigh, forearm, and abdomen. Prednisolone treatment was associated with decreases in the total thickness of the cutis and subcutis in the thigh (0.28 mm) and forearm (0.15 mm), and an increase in the abdomen (0.23 mm). During placebo treatment the thickness was increased in the thigh (0.07 mm) and abdomen (0.05 mm), and reduced in the forearm (0.03 mm). The differences between prednisolone and placebo treatment were statistically significant in the thigh ( P=0.04). The increase in thickness in the abdomen during prednisolone treatment was statistically significantly different from the reductions in the thigh ( P=0.03) and forearm ( P=0.05). There were no statistically significant differences in the dermal thickness or water content during prednisolone treatment compared to placebo. Short-term treatment with 5 mg prednisolone daily may cause differential effects in peripheral and abdominal subcutaneous thickness in children.