Which side effect related to corticosteroid therapy requires monitoring in children?

Corticosteroid therapy in children can significantly impact growth patterns due to the drugs' effects on the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis as well as direct effects on skeletal growth and bone density. Long-term or high-dose use of corticosteroids can inhibit growth hormone secretion and affect the growth plates of bones, potentially leading to diminished growth and development in children.

This is particularly concerning because growth during childhood and adolescence is critical for reaching full height potential and overall development. Regular monitoring of growth parameters, including height and weight, is essential in children receiving corticosteroid therapy to identify and address any adverse effects on growth early on. This proactive approach helps manage any potential growth retardation associated with the medication.

While dehydration, impaired wound healing, and hyperglycemia are also important side effects of corticosteroids that may warrant monitoring, they are not as specifically linked to children's growth and development as alterations in growth patterns. Thus, among the options provided, monitoring for altered growth patterns is paramount in the pediatric population on corticosteroid therapy.