Hypothalamic-Pituitary-Adrenal Axis Recovery Following Prolonged Prednisolone Therapy in Infants

Abstract

HPA recovery occurred within 6 to 12 weeks, shorter than empirical recommendations, to give stress cover for 6 to 12 months. Reduced duration of stress-cover precautions may reduce parental anxiety and side effects from unnecessary glucocorticoid use. Healthy control infants established circadian variation in salivary cortisol between 2 and 6 months of age.