The Journal of Pediatrics
Volume 137, Issue 1 , Pages 9-13 , July 2000

Postnatal steroids: Short-term gain, long-term pain?

Received 22 December 1999 ,Revised 14 March 2000 ,Accepted 30 March 2000.

References 

  1. Liggins GC, Howie RN. A controlled trial of antepartum glucocorticoid treatment for prevention of the respiratory distress syndrome in premature infants. Pediatrics. 1972;50:515–525
  2. Crowley P, Chalmers I, Keirse MJNC. The effects of corticosteroid administration before preterm delivery: an overview of the evidence from controlled trials. Br J Obstet Gynaecol. 1990;97:133
  3. Consensus Development Panel . Effect of corticosteroids for fetal maturation on perinatal outcomes. National Institutes of Health Conference Statement. 12(2). Bethesda (MD): : US Dept of Health and Human Services, Public Health Service, National Institutes of Health; Feb 28-Mar 2, 1994;
  4. Rennie JM, Wheater M, Cole TJ. Antenatal steroid administration is associated with an improved chance of intact survival in preterm infants. Eur J Pediatr. 1996;155:576–579
  5. Crowley P. Prophylactic corticosteroids for preterm birth [Cochrane Review]. The Cochrane Library. Issue 4. Oxford: : Update Software; 1999;
  6. Leviton A, Dammann O, Allred EN, Kuban K, Pagano M, VanMarter L, et al.  Antenatal corticosteroids and cranial ultrasonographic abnormalities. Am J Obstet Gynecol. 1999;181:1007–1017
  7. Salokorpi T, Sajaniemi N, Hallback H, Kari A, Rita H, von Wendt L. Randomized study of the effect of antenatal dexamethasone on growth and development of premature children at the corrected age of 2 years. Acta Pediatr. 1997;86:294–298
  8. Haddad H, Hsia D, Gellis S. Studies on respiratory rate in the newborn. Its use in the evaluation of RDS in IDM. Pediatrics. 1956;17:204–212
  9. Altman H. The respiratory distress syndrome in the newborn. S Afr Med J. 1965;39:746–748
  10. Baden M, Bauer CR, Colle E, Klein G, Taeusch HWW, Stern L. A controlled trial of hydrocortisone therapy in infants with RDS. Pediatr. 1972;50:526–534
  11. Ewerbech H, Helwig H. Treatment of idiopathic respiratory distress with large doses of corticoids. Pediatrics. 1972;49:467–468
  12. Mammel MC, Green TP, Johnson DE, Thompson TR. Controlled trial of dexamethasone therapy in infants with bronchopulmonary dysplasia. Lancet. 1983;1:1356–1358
  13. Avery GB, Fletcher AB, Kaplan M, Brudno DS. Controlled trial of dexamethasone in respirator dependent infants with bronchopulmonary dysplasia. Pediatrics. 1985;75:106–111
  14. Bhuta T, Ohlsson A. Systematic review and meta-analysis of early postnatal dexamethasone for prevention of chronic lung disease. Arch Dis Child Fetal Neonatal Ed. 1998;79:F26–F33
  15. Halliday HL. Clinical trials of postnatal corticosteroids: inhaled and systemic. Biol Neonate. 1999;76:29–40
  16. Halliday HL, Ehrenkranz RA. Early postnatal (<96 hours) corticosteroids for preventing chronic lung disease in preterm infants [Cochrane Review]. In: The Cochrane Library, Issue 4. Oxford: : Update Software; 1999;
  17. Halliday HL, Ehrenkranz RA. Moderately early (7-14 days) postnatal corticosteroids for preventing chronic lung disease in preterm infants [Cochrane Review]. In: The Cochrane Library. Issue 4:Oxford: : Update Software; 1999;
  18. Halliday HL, Ehrenkranz RA. Delayed (>3 weeks) postnatal corticosteroids for chronic lung disease in preterm infants [Cochrane Review]. In: The Cochrane Library, Issue 4. Oxford: : Update Software; 1999;
  19. Bull D, Wakeley A, Sola A. Current use of steroids in newborns with lung disease: results of a national survey [abstract]. Clin Res. 1993;41:89A
  20. Vermont Oxford Network 1997 Database Summary. Burlington (VT): : Vermont Oxford Network; 1998;
  21. Vermont Oxford Network 1998 Database Summary. Burlington (VT): : Vermont Oxford Network; 1999;
  22. Vohr BR, Wright LL, Poole K. Effects of site differences at 12 participating NICHD centers on 18 month outcomes of extremely low birth weight (ELBW) < 1000gm infants—The NICHD Neonatal Research Outcome Study [abstract]. Pediatr Res. 1999;45:258A
  23. Stark AR, Carlo W, Bauer C, Donovan E, Oh W, Papile L, et al.  Complications of early steroid therapy in a randomized controlled trial [abstract]. Pediatrics. 1999;104:739A
  24. Soll RF, for the Vermont Oxford Network Steroid Study Group . Early postnatal dexamethasone therapy for the prevention of chronic lung disease [abstract]. Pediatr Res. 1999;42:123A
  25. Garland JS, Alex CP, Pauly TH, Whitehead VL, Brand J, Winston JF, et al.  A three-day course of dexamethasone therapy to prevent chronic lung disease in ventilated neonates: a randomized trial. Pediatrics. 1999;104:91–99
  26. Papile LA, Tyson JE, Stoll BJ, Wright LL, Donovan EF, Bauer CR, et al.  A multicenter trial of two dexamethasone regimens in ventilator-dependent premature infants. N Engl J Med. 1998;338:1112–1118
  27. Stoll BJ, Temprosa M, Tyson JE, Papile L, Wright LL, Bauer CR, et al.  Dexamethasone therapy increases infection in very low birth weight infants. Pediatrics [serial online]. 1999;104(5): Available from http://www.pediatrics.org/cgi/content/full/104/5/e63
  28. Amin SB, Sinkin RA, McDermott MP, Kendig JW. Lipid intolerance in neonates receiving dexamethasone for bronchopulmonary dysplasia. Arch Pediatr Adolesc Med. 1999;153:795–800
  29. Rizvi ZB, Aniol HS, Myers TF, Zeller WP, Fisher SG, Anderson CL. Effects of dexamethasone on the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis in preterm infants. J Pediatr. 1992;120:961–965
  30. Ng PC, Blackburn ME, Brownlee KG, Buckler JM, Dear PRF. Adrenal response in very low birthweight babies after dexamethasone treatment for bronchopulmonary dysplasia. Arch Dis Child. 1989;64:1721–1726
  31. Kari MA, Heinonen K, Ikonen RS, Koivisto M, Raivio KO. Dexamethasone treatment in preterm infants at risk for bronchopulmonary dysplasia. Arch Dis Child. 1993;68:566–569
  32. Cole CH, Shah B, Abbasi S, Demissie S, MacKinnon B, Colton T, et al.  Adrenal function in premature infants during inhaled beclomethasone therapy. J Pediatr. 1999;135:65–70
  33. Leitch CA, Ahlrichs J, Karn C, Denne SC. Energy expenditure and energy intake during dexamethasone therapy for chronic lung disease. Pediatr Res. 1999;46:109–113
  34. Berry MA, Abrahamowicz M, Usher RH. Factors associated with growth of extremely premature infants during initial hospitalization. Pediatrics. 1997;100:640–646
  35. Van Goudoever JB, Wattimena JDL, Carnielli VP, Sulkers EJ, Degenhart HJ, Sauer PJJ. Effect of dexamethasone on protein metabolism in infants with bronchopulmonary dysplasia. J Pediatr. 1994;124:112–118
  36. Romagnoli C, Zecca E, Vento G, Maggio L, Papacci P, Tortorolo G. Effect on growth of two different dexamethasone courses for preterm infants at risk of chronic lung disease—a randomized trial. Pharmacology. 1999;59:266–274
  37. Mirandamallea J, Perezverdu J, Gascolacalle B, Saezpalacios JM, Fernandezgilino C, Izquierdomacian I. Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy in preterm infants treated with dexamethasone. Eur J Pediatr. 1997;156:394–396
  38. Stathis SL, O’Callaghan M, Harvey J, Rogers Y. Head circumference in ELBW babies is associated with learning difficulties and cognition but not ADHD in the school aged child. Dev Med Child Neurol. 1999;41:375–380
  39. Fitzhardinge PM, Eisen A, Lejtenyi C, Metrakos K, Ramsay M. Sequelae of early steroid administration to the newborn infant. Pediatrics. 1974;53:877–883
  40. Yeh TF, Lin YJ, Huang CC, Chen YJ, Lin CH, Lin HC, et al.  Early dexamethasone therapy in preterm infants: a follow-up study. Pediatrics. 1998;101:E71–E78
  41. Merz U, Peschgens T, Kusenbach G, Hornchen H. Early versus late dexamethasone treatment in preterm infants at risk for chronic lung disease: a randomized pilot study. Eur J Pediatr. 1999;158:318–322
  42. Fok TF, Lam K, Dolovich M, Ng PC, Wong W, Cheung KL, et al.  Randomised controlled study of early use of inhaled corticosteroid in preterm infants with respiratory distress syndrome. Arch Dis Child. 1999;80:F203–F208
  43. Tsukahara H, Watanabe Y, Yasutomi M, Kobata R, Tamura S, Kimura K, et al.  Early (4-7 days of age) dexamethasone therapy for prevention of chronic lung disease in preterm infants. Biol Neonate. 1999;76:283–290
  44. Cole CH, Colton T, Shah BL, Abbasi S, MacKinnon BL, Demissie S, et al.  Early inhaled glucocorticoid therapy to prevent bronchopulmonary dysplasia. N Engl J Med. 1999;340:1005–1010
  45. Merz U, Kusenbach G, Hausler M, Peschgens T, Hornchen H. Inhaled budesonide in ventilator-dependent preterm infants: a randomized, double-blind pilot study. Biol Neonate. 1999;75:46–53
  46. Kopelman AE, Moise AA, Holbert D, Hegemier SE. A single very early dexamethasone dose improves respiratory and cardiovascular adaptation in preterm infants. J Pediatr. 1999;135:345–350
  47. O’Shea T, Kothadia J, Klinepeter K, Goldstein DJ, Jackson BG, Weaver RG, et al.  Randomized placebo-controlled trial of a 42-day tapering course of dexamethasone to reduce the duration of ventilator dependency in very low birth weight infants: outcome of study participants at 1-year adjusted age. Pediatrics. 1999;104:15–21
  48. Baud O, Zupan V, Lacaze-Masmonteil T, Dehan M. Neurological adverse effects of early postnatal dexamethasone in very preterm infants [letter, comment]. Arch Dis Child Fetal Neonatal Ed. 1999;80:F159
  49. Watterberg KL, Gerdes JS, Gifford KL, Lin HM. Prophylaxis against early adrenal insufficiency to prevent chronic lung disease in premature infants. Pediatrics. 1999;104:1258–1263
  50. Shinwell ES, Karplus M, Zamora E, Reich D, Rothschild A, Blazer S, et al.  Failure of early postnatal dexamethasone to prevent chronic lung disease in infants with respiratory distress syndrome. Arch Dis Child Fetal Neonatal Ed. 1996;74:F33–F37
  51. Shinwell ES, Karplus M, Reich D, Weintraub Z, Blazer S, Bader D, et al. Early postnatal dexamethasone therapy is associated with increased incidence of cerebral palsy. Presented at Hot Topics ‘99 in Neonatology; December 6, 1999; Washington, DC.
  52. Howard H. Reductions in size and total DNA of cerebrum and cerebellum in adult mice after corticosterone treatment in infancy. Exp Neurol. 1968;22:191–208
  53. Ohtsu N, Ariagno RL, Sweeney TE, Davis L, Moses L, Petriceks R. The effect of dexamethasone on chronic pulmonary oxygen toxicity in infant mice. Pediatr Res. 1989;25:353–359
  54. Weiler HA, Wang Z, Atkinson SA. Whole body lean mass is altered by dexamethasone treatment through reductions in protein and energy utilization in piglets. Biol Neonate. 1997;71:53–59
  55. Ward WE, Donovan SM, Atkinson SA. Dexamethasone-induced abnormalities in growth and bone metabolism in piglets are partially attenuated by growth hormone with no synergistic effect of insulin-like growth factor-I. Pediatr Res. 1998;44:215–221
  56. Burrin DG, Wester TJ, Davis TA, Fiorotto ML, Chang XY. Dexamethasone inhibits small intestinal growth via increased protein catabolism in neonatal pigs. Am J Physiol Endocr Metab. 1999;39:E269–E277
  57. Prodanov D, Mantchev G, Iliev A, Traykov V, Yakimova K, Kaneva R, et al.  Effects of dexamethasone in rat neonatal model of axotomy-induced motoneuronal cell death. Arch Physiol Biochem. 1998;106:355–361
  58. Tsubota S, Adachi N, Chen J, Yorozuya T, Nagaro T, Arai T. Dexamethasone changes brain monoamine metabolism and aggravates ischemic neuronal damage in rats. Anesthesiology. 1999;90:515–523
  59. Weichsel ME. The therapeutic use of glucocorticoid hormones in the perinatal period. Potential neurological hazards. Ann Neurol. 1977;46:364–366
  60. Vicedomini JP, Nonneman AJ, DeKosky ST, Scheff SW. Perinatal glucocorticoids disrupt learning: a sexually dimorphic response. Physiol Behav. 1986;36:145–149
  61. Benesova O, Pavlik A. Perinatal treatment with glucocorticoids and the risk of maldevelopment of the brain. Neuropharmacology. 1989;28:89–97
  62. Baud O, Foix-L’Helias L, Kaminski M, Audibert F, Jarreau PH, Papiernik E, et al.  Antenatal glucocorticoid treatment and cystic periventricular leukomalacia in very premature infants. N Engl J Med. 1999;341:1190–1196
  63. Avery ME, Tooley WH, Keller JB, Hurd SS, Bryan H, Cotton RB. Is chronic lung disease in low birth weight infants preventable? A survey of eight centers. Pediatrics. 1987;79:26–30
  64. Verder H, Albertson P, Ebbesen F, Greisen G, Robertson B, Bertelsen A, et al.  Nasal continuous positive airway pressure and early surfactant therapy for respiratory distress syndrome in newborns of less than 30 weeks’ gestation. Pediatrics. 1999;103:E241–E246
  65. Lindner W, Vossbeck S, Hummler H, Pohlandt F. Delivery room management of extremely low birth weight infants: Spontaneous breathing or intubation?. Pediatrics. 1999;103:961–967

☆ Reprint requests: Neil N. Finer, MD, UCSD Medical Center, 200 W Arbor Dr, 8774, San Diego, CA 92103-8774.

☆☆ J Pediatr 2000;137:9-13.

PII: S0022-3476(00)60877-6

The Journal of Pediatrics
Volume 137, Issue 1 , Pages 9-13 , July 2000

Article Tools