Abstract
Background: Systemic corticosteroids are frequently used to manage acute respiratory diseases in infancy, but concerns about the long-term impacts on growth remain. This study aimed to evaluate the impact of short courses of systemic steroids administered exclusively during infancy on final adult height, weight, and BMI, adjusted by sex and cumulative steroid use. Methods: A prospective cohort study was conducted including 257 participants (49.4% males, 11.2 ± 3.5 years) of which two groups of cases were firstly analyzed: the control group (CG) and the group that received systemic steroids only during infancy (ssccINF). Final adult height, weight, and BMI were compared between the groups, adjusted also for breastfeeding history, food allergies, history of fractures, physical activity, and family smoking habits. Results: No significant differences in final adult height were observed between males in the CG and ssccINF group (179.32 vs. 179.40). In females, the ssccINF group was slightly shorter by 2.5 cm (165.51 vs. 162.98), although this difference was not linked to cumulative days of steroid use during infancy (mean = 3.91 ± 2.37, p = 0.37). A regression analysis revealed no significant influence of additional covariates on height, weight, or BMI outcomes. Conclusions: Short courses of systemic steroids administered exclusively during infancy did not appear to have a significant long-term impact on growth. The minor height difference observed in females was not associated with steroid use duration. These findings suggest that the benefits of short-term steroid therapy, such as reduced hospitalizations and improved management of acute respiratory diseases, outweigh potential risks, supporting its safe use in clinical practice.