Neurodevelopment at 24  months corrected age in extremely preterm infants treated with dexamethasone alternatives during the late postnatal period: a cohort study

Conclusions:  Betamethasone or hydrocortisone hemisuccinate treatment was not an independent risk for suboptimal neurological development, growth and respiratory outcomes assessed at 24 months corrected age in extremely premature infants.  Registration number:  The study was registered on the ClinicalTrials.gov register: NCT05055193.What is Known:• Late postnatal steroids are used to treat bronchopulmonary dysplasia• Meta-analyses warned against the neurological risk of dexamethasone use during neonatal period. Early or late hydrocortisone hemisuccinate has been evaluated in multiple studies, none of which have reported an adverse effect on neurodevelopment at least to 2 years. Data about the use of betamet hasone are scarce.What is New:• The risk of suboptimal neurodevelopment was higher among extremely premature infants who received postnatal steroids when compared to those who did not.• Betamethasone and hydrocortisone hemisuccinate treatment was not an independent risk factor for suboptimal neurodevelopment at 24 months corrected age.
Source: European Journal of Pediatrics - Category: Pediatrics Source Type: research