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 medications interference with the function of the adrenal gland. Because of the side effects, some physicians have begun to recommend that children with mild asthma use corticosteroids on an as–needed basis.

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 the liquid form.

Corticosteroid treatments may be less effective for young infants less than 1 year old.