Rescue Glucocorticoid Therapy in Extremely Preterm Infants

Despite the recent improvement in survival in extremely low gestational age newborns (ELGAN), postnatal refractory hypotension and chronic lung disease (CLD) are still common complications of ELGAN, and are associated with devastating neurodevelopmental outcomes [1]. Although the pathophysiology of these morbidities has not been fully clarified, the potential contribution of relative adrenal insufficiency in preterm newborns to the development of refractory hypotension and CLD has been suggested [2]. Based on this possibility, a series of glucocorticoid (GC) therapies for ELGAN have been investigated,but the efficacy and safety of GC for morbidity are still unclear [3-5]. In this mini review, we focus on the rescue use (not prophylactic use) of GC for postnatal refractory hypotension and CLD in ELGAN, and review our clinical practices. Rescue GC Therapy for Refractory Hypotension