Vesna Homar1, Stefan Grosek, Tadej Battelino. 1. Department of Pediatric Surgery and Intensive Therapy, University Medical Center Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: The synthetic corticosteroid methylprednisolone is used for the treatment of acute exacerbations of Crohn's disease, also in pregnancy. Its use is considered to be less harmful than the effect of active disease on the fetus. Adrenal suppression in a fetus due to administration of methylprednisolone has hitherto been rarely published. OBJECTIVE: To present a case of neonatal adrenal suppression due to the use of high-dose methylprednisolone in late pregnancy of a woman with Crohn's disease. METHODS AND RESULTS: Clinical signs of adrenal suppression were observed in the newborn 3 h after birth. After hydrocortisone supplementation and intensive therapy the baby recovered completely. CONCLUSIONS: Life-threatening adrenal suppression, requiring hydrocortisone supplementation and intensive therapy, was observed and successfully treated in a newborn, whose mother had received high-dose methylprednisolone in late pregnancy. Copyright 2008 S. Karger AG, Basel.
BACKGROUND: The synthetic corticosteroid methylprednisolone is used for the treatment of acute exacerbations of Crohn's disease, also in pregnancy. Its use is considered to be less harmful than the effect of active disease on the fetus. Adrenal suppression in a fetus due to administration of methylprednisolone has hitherto been rarely published. OBJECTIVE: To present a case of neonatal adrenal suppression due to the use of high-dose methylprednisolone in late pregnancy of a woman with Crohn's disease. METHODS AND RESULTS: Clinical signs of adrenal suppression were observed in the newborn 3 h after birth. After hydrocortisone supplementation and intensive therapy the baby recovered completely. CONCLUSIONS: Life-threatening adrenal suppression, requiring hydrocortisone supplementation and intensive therapy, was observed and successfully treated in a newborn, whose mother had received high-dose methylprednisolone in late pregnancy. Copyright 2008 S. Karger AG, Basel.