Corticosteroids for systemic JIA
Management of systemic JIA, and the role of corticosteroids in it, is described here.
Many children and adolescents require corticosteroid therapy to control systemic features—intravenous methylprednisolone is usually used initially. The usual dosage is:
methylprednisolone sodium succinate 15 to 30 mg/kg up to 1000 mg intravenously, over 1 hour, daily for 3 days. methylprednisolone sodium succinate methylprednisolone methylprednisolone
A once-monthly dose of methylprednisolone may be given until the disease is controlled; however, oral therapy is often used for patients who have been discharged from hospital. For ongoing oral therapy, use:
prednisolone (or prednisone) 0.5 to 1 mg/kg up to 60 mg orally, daily1. prednis ol one prednis(ol)one prednis(ol)one
Long-term corticosteroid therapy can cause significant adverse effects; the risk of adverse effects must be balanced against the risk of disease complications with inadequate treatment. Once disease control is achieved, taper the dose of oral corticosteroid. Consider tapering to alternate-day dosing to limit adverse effects. Children should be monitored for the development of adverse effects associated with long-term corticosteroid use and, if appropriate, measures should be implemented to minimise these adverse effects.