RT Journal Article SR Electronic T1 Bone status of children aged 5–8 years, treated with dexamethasone for chronic lung disease of prematurity JF Archives of Disease in Childhood - Fetal and Neonatal Edition JO Arch Dis Child Fetal Neonatal Ed FD BMJ Publishing Group Ltd and Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health SP F222 OP F224 DO 10.1136/adc.2006.110874 VO 93 IS 3 A1 Eelloo, J A A1 Roberts, S A A1 Emmerson, A J B A1 Ward, K A A1 Adams, J E A1 Mughal, M Z YR 2008 UL http://fn.bmj.com/content/93/3/F222.abstract AB Background: It is not known whether treatment with dexamethasone in the neonatal period may lead to reduced bone mineral density in childhood.Methods: Anthropometric and bone densitometry measurements were taken of children aged 5–8 years who had chronic lung disease (CLD) in the neonatal period (n = 22). 15 of these children were treated with dexamethasone. A control group consisted of children born preterm who did not develop CLD (n = 29).Results: Total body bone mineral content and bone mineral apparent density of the lumbar spine were lower in children whose CLD was treated with dexamethasone in the neonatal period, compared with the preterm controls.Conclusion: Dexamethasone treatment in the neonatal period appears to cause impairment of mineralisation which persists into childhood.