Complicated iatrogenic Cushing’s syndrome induced by topical clobetasol propionate in a child with psoriasis: a case report and review of the literature

Abstract Background Long-term use of oral or parenteral corticosteroids is the most common cause of hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal axis suppression and iatrogenic Cushing’s syndrome. Still, iatrogenic Cushing’s syndrome occurs rarely following the administration of topical corticosteroids. Case pres...

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Main Authors: Bahareh Abtahi-Naeini, Peiman Nasri, Kimia Afshar, Nikta Nouri
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: BMC 2024-12-01
Series:Journal of Medical Case Reports
Subjects:
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1186/s13256-024-04965-7
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author Bahareh Abtahi-Naeini
Peiman Nasri
Kimia Afshar
Nikta Nouri
author_facet Bahareh Abtahi-Naeini
Peiman Nasri
Kimia Afshar
Nikta Nouri
author_sort Bahareh Abtahi-Naeini
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Background Long-term use of oral or parenteral corticosteroids is the most common cause of hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal axis suppression and iatrogenic Cushing’s syndrome. Still, iatrogenic Cushing’s syndrome occurs rarely following the administration of topical corticosteroids. Case presentation This case study discusses the misuse of a high-potency corticosteroid cream by an Iranian 5-year-old male with plaque-form psoriasis, resulting in Cushingoid symptoms including moon face, buffalo hump, red striae, and weight gain. The child experienced different complications following iatrogenic Cushing’s syndrome, such as frequent vomiting and fever, which led to expiration. Conclusion Proper use and monitoring of topical corticosteroids are emphasized, especially among children. This study also underlines the potential side effects of high-potency corticosteroids and the importance of physicians’ and parents’ awareness, highlighting the avoidance of excessive topical corticosteroid prescriptions.
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spelling doaj-art-baf4e9b4690641359895b13deea19d5d2025-08-20T02:31:48ZengBMCJournal of Medical Case Reports1752-19472024-12-011811710.1186/s13256-024-04965-7Complicated iatrogenic Cushing’s syndrome induced by topical clobetasol propionate in a child with psoriasis: a case report and review of the literatureBahareh Abtahi-Naeini0Peiman Nasri1Kimia Afshar2Nikta Nouri3Pediatric Dermatology Division of Department of Pediatrics, Imam Hossein Children’s Hospital, Isfahan University of Medical SciencesMetabolic Liver Disease Research Center, Imam Hossein Children’s Hospital, Isfahan University of Medical SciencesStudent Research Committee, Isfahan University of Medical SciencesSchool of Medicine, Isfahan University of Medical SciencesAbstract Background Long-term use of oral or parenteral corticosteroids is the most common cause of hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal axis suppression and iatrogenic Cushing’s syndrome. Still, iatrogenic Cushing’s syndrome occurs rarely following the administration of topical corticosteroids. Case presentation This case study discusses the misuse of a high-potency corticosteroid cream by an Iranian 5-year-old male with plaque-form psoriasis, resulting in Cushingoid symptoms including moon face, buffalo hump, red striae, and weight gain. The child experienced different complications following iatrogenic Cushing’s syndrome, such as frequent vomiting and fever, which led to expiration. Conclusion Proper use and monitoring of topical corticosteroids are emphasized, especially among children. This study also underlines the potential side effects of high-potency corticosteroids and the importance of physicians’ and parents’ awareness, highlighting the avoidance of excessive topical corticosteroid prescriptions.https://doi.org/10.1186/s13256-024-04965-7Cushing’s syndromeglucocorticoidstopicalpsoriasiscase report
spellingShingle Bahareh Abtahi-Naeini
Peiman Nasri
Kimia Afshar
Nikta Nouri
Complicated iatrogenic Cushing’s syndrome induced by topical clobetasol propionate in a child with psoriasis: a case report and review of the literature
Journal of Medical Case Reports
Cushing’s syndrome
glucocorticoids
topical
psoriasis
case report
title Complicated iatrogenic Cushing’s syndrome induced by topical clobetasol propionate in a child with psoriasis: a case report and review of the literature
title_full Complicated iatrogenic Cushing’s syndrome induced by topical clobetasol propionate in a child with psoriasis: a case report and review of the literature
title_fullStr Complicated iatrogenic Cushing’s syndrome induced by topical clobetasol propionate in a child with psoriasis: a case report and review of the literature
title_full_unstemmed Complicated iatrogenic Cushing’s syndrome induced by topical clobetasol propionate in a child with psoriasis: a case report and review of the literature
title_short Complicated iatrogenic Cushing’s syndrome induced by topical clobetasol propionate in a child with psoriasis: a case report and review of the literature
title_sort complicated iatrogenic cushing s syndrome induced by topical clobetasol propionate in a child with psoriasis a case report and review of the literature
topic Cushing’s syndrome
glucocorticoids
topical
psoriasis
case report
url https://doi.org/10.1186/s13256-024-04965-7
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