Effect of decreased use of postnatal corticosteroids on morbidity in extremely low birthweight infants.

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of decrease in use of postnatal corticosteroids on duration of assisted ventilation and hospital stay of extremely low birthweight infants. All infants born between January 1, 1999, and December 31, 2000, and with birthweight </= 1000 g were included if they survived to be discharged home. Postnatal corticosteroids use in these infants decreased from 44% in 1999 (group 1) to 13% in 2000 (group 2; p = 0.002). The mean duration of assisted ventilation was similar in the two groups (20.6 +/- 19.7 versus 24.5 +/- 22.2 days; p = 0.4), as was the mean duration of hospital stay (82.2 +/- 23.5 versus 85.1 +/- 30.5 days; p = 0.6). The incidence of late-onset bacterial sepsis was significantly lower among group 2 infants (17% versus 40%; p = 0.02).