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Cortisol levels in children influenced by prednisone exposure in utero
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Higher daytime cortisol levels were found in young children who were exposed to prednisone during their mothers’ pregnancies vs. children who had no exposure, according to research published in Clinical Endocrinology. No clinical outcomes, such as higher BMI or blood pressure, were noted in the children studied.
In a prospective cohort study on rheumatoid arthritis and pregnancy, Florentien D. O. de Steenwinkel, MD, of the department of rheumatology, Erasmus MC, Rotterdam, the Netherlands, and colleagues examined young children who were exposed to prednisone in utero. For comparison, participants in the study were either exposed (n=44) or nonexposed (n=65) to prednisone in utero.
The mean age of the children was 6.98 years. Daytime saliva cortisol levels (measured at 1 p.m.) measured higher in the children who were exposed to prednisone in utero vs. the nonexposed children (P=.03). These results were independent of age, sex or rheumatoid arthritis disease activity during the mother’s pregnancy.
“The cortisol levels were higher, but not abnormal and within the range of the age-matched reference values. The in utero prednisone exposure was not associated with a higher BMI or blood pressure in the children. The latter is reassuring, but does not exclude possible long-term consequences of persistently higher daytime cortisol levels. Our results warrant follow-up of our study population to evaluate the long-term consequences of higher cortisol levels on the health profile in adolescence and adulthood,” the researchers wrote.
Disclosure: The researchers report no relevant financial disclosures. This study was supported by the Dutch Arthritis Association (Reumafonds), a nonprofit fundraising organization.
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