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Corticosteroids - topical (skin), nose, and eyes - Management
Basis for recommendation
Pregnancy
These recommendations are based on published expert opinion [Schaefer et al, 2007; Weatherhead et al, 2007].
- A Cochrane systematic review identified two cohort studies and five case-control studies (with 659,675 participants) of women who were exposed to topical corticosteroids during pregnancy [Chi et al, 2009].
- These studies had several methodological weaknesses, which made the results difficult to interpret. The authors of the review considered the studies to be of low or very low quality.
- From these data, no association was found between use of topical corticosteroids during pregnancy and congenital abnormality, pre-term delivery, or stillbirth.
- Some evidence suggested that very potent topical corticosteroids might be associated with low birthweight.
Breastfeeding
- Potent corticosteroids are considered suitable for use during breastfeeding [WHO, 2002].
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