The effect of postnatal steroids on growth and development
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Henry L. Halliday
Abstract
Single courses of prenatal corticosteroids have many beneficial effects including reduction in respiratory distress syndrome, intraventricular hemorrhage and neonatal mortality. Postnatal corticosteroids, however, have both beneficial and harmful effects. The beneficial effects include shortened time on the ventilator and a reduction in chronic lung disease. Dexamethasone treatment started within the first 4 days of life is associated with an increased risk of abnormal neurodevelopment including cerebral palsy. Other adverse effects include metabolic disturbances, cardiac hypertrophy, reduced growth and gastrointestinal perforation. The risks of early dexamethasone treatment in currently used doses outweigh the benefits. Further research is needed to determine the optimal corticosteroid drug, its dose and timing of administration to maximize benefit and reduce risk to a minimum. Other non-drug interventions should be used to minimize the risk of chronic lung disease in very preterm infants.
Copyright © 2001 by Walter de Gruyter GmbH & Co. KG
Articles in the same Issue
- The first 40 years – a subjective review
- The effect of postnatal steroids on growth and development
- Mild maternal undernutrition in the first half of ovine pregnancy influences placental morphology but not fetal Doppler flow velocity waveforms and fetal heart size
- Longitudinal study of fatty acids in plasma and erythrocyte phospholipids during pregnancy
- Women’s perceptions and experiences of childbirth in United Arab Emirates
- A role for the 72 kDa gelatinase (MMP-2) and its inhibitor (TIMP-2) in human parturition, premature rupture of membranes and intraamniotic infection
- The value of ultrasonographic examination of the uterine cervix in predicting post-term pregnancy
- Maternal complications associated with cesarean section
- Patent ductus arteriosus in very low birthweight infants: complications of pharmacological and surgical treatment
- Bedside functional imaging of the premature infant brain during passive motor activation
- Effects of selective inhibition of the Endothelin A and B receptors on hypoxic pulmonary vasoconstriction in newborn piglets
- Surfactant lavage and replacement in meconium aspiration syndrome with pulmonary hemorrhage
- Gelastic seizures in clusters in a case of West syndrome after perinatal hypothalamic hemorrhage
- Fetal pulse oximetry is a safe method during high-risk delivery
- WAPM-Newsletter No 2
Articles in the same Issue
- The first 40 years – a subjective review
- The effect of postnatal steroids on growth and development
- Mild maternal undernutrition in the first half of ovine pregnancy influences placental morphology but not fetal Doppler flow velocity waveforms and fetal heart size
- Longitudinal study of fatty acids in plasma and erythrocyte phospholipids during pregnancy
- Women’s perceptions and experiences of childbirth in United Arab Emirates
- A role for the 72 kDa gelatinase (MMP-2) and its inhibitor (TIMP-2) in human parturition, premature rupture of membranes and intraamniotic infection
- The value of ultrasonographic examination of the uterine cervix in predicting post-term pregnancy
- Maternal complications associated with cesarean section
- Patent ductus arteriosus in very low birthweight infants: complications of pharmacological and surgical treatment
- Bedside functional imaging of the premature infant brain during passive motor activation
- Effects of selective inhibition of the Endothelin A and B receptors on hypoxic pulmonary vasoconstriction in newborn piglets
- Surfactant lavage and replacement in meconium aspiration syndrome with pulmonary hemorrhage
- Gelastic seizures in clusters in a case of West syndrome after perinatal hypothalamic hemorrhage
- Fetal pulse oximetry is a safe method during high-risk delivery
- WAPM-Newsletter No 2
