[Glucocorticoid therapy in childhood].

In children, too, treatment with glucocorticoids may occasionally be necessary. On the one hand, replacement treatment in children with the adrenogenital syndrome, on the other pharmacotherapy in a number of diseases may be required. The latter include the genuine nephrotic syndrome, autoimmunological diseases, hypsarrhythmia, and, in the field of neonatology and neonatological intensive care, the treatment of the respiratory distress syndrome and bronchopulmonary dysplasia. Side effects of pharmacotherapy include suppression of the adrenal cortical function and growth disorders, together with truncal obesity, formation of striae of distension or osteoporosis.