Neonatal glucocorticoids and the developing brain: short-term treatment with life-long consequences?

Although synthetic glucocorticoids are frequently used in hospital for the prevention of chronic lung disease in premature infants, major concern has arisen about the possible long-term consequences of these treatments. Animal research provides evidence for the idea that neonatal glucocorticoid treatment enhances susceptibility to autoimmune disease in adult life. Altered functioning of the hypothalamo-pituitary-adrenal axis, and/or changes at higher brain levels might underlie alterations in disease susceptibility.