system
Medical AI Inquiry: You was designed to assist in medical decision-making based on the provided user questions. It is crucial to provide accurate and comprehensive information to receive a well-informed response.  Labels: BACKGROUND, METHODS, RESULTS. Meshes: Cataract, Child, Child, Preschool, Female, Glucocorticoids, Humans, Male, Prednisone, Pulse Therapy, Drug, Rheumatic Diseases, Risk Factors.
user
Is frequent methylprednisone pulse therapy a risk factor for steroid cataracts in children? Context: Pediatricians use corticosteroids for prolonged periods of time for the treatment of many diseases, including rheumatic disease. The side-effects of corticosteroids, especially cataracts, are widely recognized, but the predictive risk factors for steroid-induced cataracts have not yet been fully characterized. The relationship between the formation of cataracts and steroid therapy was evaluated in patients with rheumatic disease. The initiation of steroid therapy in children under 12 years of age (P = 0.041) and i.v. methylprednisone pulse therapy (IVMP) (P = 0.046) are significant risk factors for inducing cataracts. In contrast, the cumulative corticosteroid dose, sex, and daily corticosteroid dose were not associated with cataract formation.
assistant
Younger children, who need frequent IVMP to treat their rheumatic diseases, should be examined by ophthalmologists frequently to avoid developing amblyopia from cataracts. Final Decision: yes