Corticosteroids have a range of side effects that tend to be more pronounced in children than in adults. A child should never take any type of corticosteroid treatment without first seeing a physician.

Children who are using corticosteroid drugs and contract certain infections (e.g., measles, chickenpox) may experience more severe infections. To avoid this, a physician may recommend vaccinations for some types of infection or suggest an alternative treatment, if appropriate.

Children and teenagers who take corticosteroids can experience slowed growth, particularly if the medication has been taken for a long period of time. This is due to the medication’s interference with the function of the adrenal gland. Although the risk of this side effect usually is higher in children who take oral corticosteroids, it can also occur as a result of potent topical corticosteroids that are absorbed through the skin. The risk is lower when low-potency topical corticosteroids are used.

An injection of corticosteroids is often given to young children who have a hard time swallowing the foul-tasting liquid form of the medication. Some children vomit after taking the liquid form. The effectiveness of a corticosteroid injection is comparable to that of the liquid form.

In some cases, corticosteroids may be used to treat diaper rash. When this is the case, parents are advised to avoid dressing their child in tight-fitting diapers or plastic pants. These may increase the risk of absorption of the medication through the skin and into the body, which can result in side effects.

Corticosteroid treatments may be less effective for infants under the age of 1.