Impact of perinatal corticosteroids on neuromotor development and outcome: review of the literature and new meta-analysis.

Perinatal corticosteroids are like a double-edged sword. On the one hand, they reduce risk for major morbidity and even mortality; on the other hand, they modify growth and development of body systems, with short- and long-term consequences. The relationship between corticosteroids and neurodevelopmental outcome has been extensively studied in randomized controlled trials, cohort and case-control studies and meta-analyses. In this article we attempt accurately to reflect current clinical equipoise on this issue by reviewing the most recent literature and adding a new meta-analysis on the relationship between postnatal dexamethasone and cerebral palsy and neurodevelopmental impairment.