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Horm Metab Res 1995; 27(8): 376-378
DOI: 10.1055/s-2007-979982
Originals Clinical

© Georg Thieme Verlag Stuttgart · New York

A Case of Iatrogenic Growth Retardation Induced by a Corticosteroid-Containing Anti-Allergic Drug

M. Nishikawa, M. Hikosaka, T. Yonemoto, A. Gondou, S. Tabata, Y. Ogawa, M. Kanasaki, Y. Miyake, H. Shimizu, A. Shouzu, M. Inada
  • Second Department of Internal Medicine, Kansai Medical University, Osaka, Japan
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Publication History

1995

1995

Publication Date:
23 April 2007 (online)

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Abstract

A nine-year old boy developed reduced growth velocity at the age of seven. The peak plasma growth hormone (GH) response to 3,4-dihydroxyphenylalanine, GH-releasing factor and insulin was 10.2, 8.1 and 7.6 µg/l, respectively, suggesting that the GH reserve was slightly reduced. Serum cortisol was undetectable and urinary excretion of 17-hydroxycorticosteroid was low (0,22-0.31 mg/day), but there were no physical or biochemical signs of adrenocortical insufficiency. He had taken an anti-allergic drug containing 0.25 mg of betamethasone and 2 mg of d-chlorpheniramine maleate per tablet for about 2 years to treat allergic rhinitis. Catch-up growth occurred when this drug was stopped. The present case suggests that daily administration of 0.25 mg of betamethasone can induce growth retardation and that ingestion of corticosteroid-containing preparations needs to be excluded in children who develop short stature without other symptoms.

Key words

Growth Retardation - Cushing's Syndrome - Corticosteroid - Anti-Allergic Drug - Growth Hormone

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