“Glucocorticoid use is prevalent in pregnant women, but whether in utero exposure impacts mental health in the offspring has not been fully explored.”

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“The aim of this study was to investigate if in utero exposure to synthetic glucocorticoids increases the risk of anxiety and depression in childhood or adolescence.”

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“The study was conducted as a nationwide cohort study…..”

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“The study population comprised 1,275,909 children born in 1996–2015 in Denmark (median follow-up of 13 years).”

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“The sibling design compared siblings with and without exposure. 9307 (0.7%) children were exposed to systemic glucocorticoids and 116,389 (9.1%) children were exposed to local glucocorticoids.”

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“High-dose systemic glucocorticoids (≥500 mg prednisolone equivalents) increased the risk of anxiety compared to the comparison cohort…….cumulative risk 16% vs. 7.8% by age 20.”

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“A similar result was found for depression……cumulative risk 3.6% vs. 2.6% by age 20.”

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“In conclusion, potential adverse mental health effects of in utero exposure to high-dose glucocorticoids merit clinical attention.”

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K.Laugesen, et al

In utero exposure to glucocorticoids and risk of anxiety and depression in childhood or adolescence

Psychneuroendocrinology — Volume 141 — July 2022