[Incidence and degree of unwanted adverse effects of corticoids in childhood: results of dermatological studies in children with chronic diseases in the age group of 1-15 years].

Out of 416 children suffering from atopic diseases 288 (69.2%) were treated topically, systemically or topically and systemically with corticosteroid preparations by the general practitioners. In 236 (81.9%) of these cases, children between the age of 1 and 15 years, developed undesirable, in part irreversible side effects. In some of the cases, topical corticosteroids by skin absorption also caused systemic side effects. It is therefore questionable if the application of corticosteroids during childhood in atopic diseases is really a therapeutic advance.