1. Multiple Courses of Antenatal Corticosteroids for Preterm Birth Study: 2-Year Outcomes
- Author
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Elizabeth V, Asztalos, Kellie E, Murphy, Mary E, Hannah, Andrew R, Willan, Stephen G, Matthews, Arne, Ohlsson, Edmond N, Kelly, Saroj, Saigal, Susan, Ross, Marie-France, Delisle, Kofi, Amankwah, Patricia, Guselle, Amiram, Gafni, Shoo K, Lee, B Anthony, Armson, Renee, Sananes, Laura, Tomat, K, Thorpe, MUMC+: MA Medische Staf Kindergeneeskunde (9), Kindergeneeskunde, RS: MHeNs School for Mental Health and Neuroscience, and RS: GROW - School for Oncology and Reproduction
- Subjects
Male ,Pediatrics ,medicine.medical_specialty ,Cephalometry ,prenatal corticosteroid therapy ,Gestational Age ,Prenatal care ,Placebo ,Drug Administration Schedule ,neurodevelopmental outcomes ,law.invention ,Cerebral palsy ,Pharmacotherapy ,Randomized controlled trial ,Adrenal Cortex Hormones ,Pregnancy ,law ,Intellectual Disability ,medicine ,Birth Weight ,Humans ,Respiratory Distress Syndrome, Newborn ,repeated courses ,Obstetrics ,business.industry ,Cerebral Palsy ,Infant, Newborn ,Obstetrics and Gynecology ,Infant ,Gestational age ,Prenatal Care ,General Medicine ,Odds ratio ,medicine.disease ,Body Height ,Child, Preschool ,Pediatrics, Perinatology and Child Health ,Premature Birth ,Female ,business ,Follow-Up Studies - Abstract
OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to determine the effects of repeated courses of prenatal corticosteroid therapy versus placebo on death or neurologic impairment among the children enrolled in the Multiple Courses of Antenatal Corticosteroids for Preterm Birth Study, at 18 to 24 months of age. METHODS: A total of 2305 infants were eligible for follow-up evaluation; 2104 infants (1069 in the prenatal corticosteroid therapy group and 1035 in the placebo group) were monitored. The primary outcome was death or neurologic impairment, defined as either cerebral palsy or cognitive delay, at 18 to 24 months of age. The secondary outcomes were measurements of growth (height, weight, and head circumference). RESULTS: Children exposed to multiple courses of prenatal corticosteroid therapy had similar rates of death or neurologic impairment, compared with children exposed to placebo (148 children [13.8%] vs 142 children [13.7%]; odds ratio: 1.001[95% confidence interval: 0.75–1.30]; P = .95). They had a mean weight of 11.94 kg, compared with 12.14 kg in the placebo group (P = .04), a mean height of 85.51 cm, compared with 85.46 cm (P = .87), and a mean head circumference of 48.18 cm, compared with 48.25 cm (P = .45). CONCLUSIONS: Multiple courses of prenatal corticosteroid therapy, given every 14 days, did not increase or decrease the risk of death or neurologic impairment at 18 to 24 months of age, compared with a single course of prenatal corticosteroid therapy. Continued follow-up monitoring of these children is necessary to assess neurobehavioral function, school performance, and possible susceptibility to disease.
- Published
- 2010
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