OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to estimate a gestational age threshold at which the benefits of treatment with weekly courses of antenatal corticosteroids (ACS) during preterm labor outweigh the risks. STUDY DESIGN: Risk-benefit ratios by gestational age were determined with the use of a Markov microsimulation decision-analysis model with a 1-week cycle length. Single course and multiple (weekly to a maximum of 4) courses of ACS by gestational age of entry (23 weeks to 31 weeks 6 days' gestation) were compared. Benefits were composite events (respiratory distress syndrome, chronic lung disease, severe intraventricular hemorrhage, periventricular leukomalacia, bronchopulmonary dysplasia, or stillbirth) averted. Risks were small head circumference and small for gestational age. RESULTS: More composite events are averted (benefits) than risks acquired (ratio, 6:1) when multiple courses of ACS are initiated at 26 weeks' gestation. When multiple courses of ACS are initiated at 29 weeks' gestation, the risk-benefit ratio is 1. Beyond 29 weeks, there is a suggestion of more risk than benefit. CONCLUSION: The model suggests that multiple courses of ACS that are initiated at <29 weeks' gestation may have increased benefit compared with risks. Further analyses are needed to determine the long-term clinical significance of these findings.
OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to estimate a gestational age threshold at which the benefits of treatment with weekly courses of antenatal corticosteroids (ACS) during preterm labor outweigh the risks. STUDY DESIGN: Risk-benefit ratios by gestational age were determined with the use of a Markov microsimulation decision-analysis model with a 1-week cycle length. Single course and multiple (weekly to a maximum of 4) courses of ACS by gestational age of entry (23 weeks to 31 weeks 6 days' gestation) were compared. Benefits were composite events (respiratory distress syndrome, chronic lung disease, severe intraventricular hemorrhage, periventricular leukomalacia, bronchopulmonary dysplasia, or stillbirth) averted. Risks were small head circumference and small for gestational age. RESULTS: More composite events are averted (benefits) than risks acquired (ratio, 6:1) when multiple courses of ACS are initiated at 26 weeks' gestation. When multiple courses of ACS are initiated at 29 weeks' gestation, the risk-benefit ratio is 1. Beyond 29 weeks, there is a suggestion of more risk than benefit. CONCLUSION: The model suggests that multiple courses of ACS that are initiated at <29 weeks' gestation may have increased benefit compared with risks. Further analyses are needed to determine the long-term clinical significance of these findings.
Authors: Ronald J Wapner; Yoram Sorokin; Lisa Mele; Francee Johnson; Donald J Dudley; Catherine Y Spong; Alan M Peaceman; Kenneth J Leveno; Fergal Malone; Steve N Caritis; Brian Mercer; Margaret Harper; Dwight J Rouse; John M Thorp; Susan Ramin; Marshall W Carpenter; Steven G Gabbe Journal: N Engl J Med Date: 2007-09-20 Impact factor: 91.245
Authors: Caroline A Crowther; Lex W Doyle; Ross R Haslam; Janet E Hiller; Jane E Harding; Jeffrey S Robinson Journal: N Engl J Med Date: 2007-09-20 Impact factor: 91.245
Authors: Kellie E Murphy; Mary E Hannah; Andrew R Willan; Sheila A Hewson; Arne Ohlsson; Edmond N Kelly; Stephen G Matthews; Saroj Saigal; Elizabeth Asztalos; Susan Ross; Marie-France Delisle; Kofi Amankwah; Patricia Guselle; Amiram Gafni; Shoo K Lee; B Anthony Armson Journal: Lancet Date: 2008-12-20 Impact factor: 79.321
Authors: Jeanne M Pimenta; Myla Ebeling; Timothy H Montague; Kathleen J Beach; Jill Abell; Michael T O'Shea; Marcy Powell; Thomas C Hulsey Journal: AJP Rep Date: 2018-03-07