D J Murphy1. 1. Division of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Bristol, St. Michael's Hospital, Southwell St., Bristol BS2 8EG, UK. d.j.murphy@bristol.ac.uk
Abstract
OBJECTIVES: To investigate the effects of single and repeated courses of antenatal corticosteroids on brain growth in very preterm babies. DESIGN: Retrospective study of 110 very preterm babies delivered at a single University Teaching Hospital between 1992 and 1999 who had a full necropsy including detailed examination of the brain. RESULTS: Mean brain weight did not differ significantly between babies who received corticosteroids and those who did not 160 vs. 157 g, (p=0.82), nor was there a difference between mean brain weight of stillborn or liveborn babies in relation to steroid use 164 vs. 159 g, (p=0.84) and 156 vs. 152g (p=0.81). There was no apparent dose-response relationship between the total number of doses of corticosteroids or timing since the first dose of corticosteroids and brain weight, p=0.95 and p=0.87. CONCLUSIONS: Single and multiple courses of antenatal corticosteroids had no significant effect on brain growth in babies delivered preterm who died but long-term follow-up studies are required to evaluate the functional neurological outcome of surviving children.
OBJECTIVES: To investigate the effects of single and repeated courses of antenatal corticosteroids on brain growth in very preterm babies. DESIGN: Retrospective study of 110 very preterm babies delivered at a single University Teaching Hospital between 1992 and 1999 who had a full necropsy including detailed examination of the brain. RESULTS: Mean brain weight did not differ significantly between babies who received corticosteroids and those who did not 160 vs. 157 g, (p=0.82), nor was there a difference between mean brain weight of stillborn or liveborn babies in relation to steroid use 164 vs. 159 g, (p=0.84) and 156 vs. 152g (p=0.81). There was no apparent dose-response relationship between the total number of doses of corticosteroids or timing since the first dose of corticosteroids and brain weight, p=0.95 and p=0.87. CONCLUSIONS: Single and multiple courses of antenatal corticosteroids had no significant effect on brain growth in babies delivered preterm who died but long-term follow-up studies are required to evaluate the functional neurological outcome of surviving children.
Authors: Deodata Tijsseling; Lia D E Wijnberger; Jan B Derks; Cindy T J van Velthoven; Willem B de Vries; Frank van Bel; Peter G J Nikkels; Gerard H A Visser Journal: PLoS One Date: 2012-03-23 Impact factor: 3.240