RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
T1 Postnatal intravenous steroids and long-term neurological outcome: recommendations from meta-analyses
JF Archives of Disease in Childhood - Fetal and Neonatal Edition
JO Arch Dis Child Fetal Neonatal Ed
FD BMJ Publishing Group Ltd and Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health
SP F299
OP F303
DO 10.1136/adc.2010.208868
VO 97
IS 4
A1 HL Yates
A1 SJ Newell
YR 2012
UL http://fn.bmj.com/content/97/4/F299.abstract
AB Postnatal steroids have been widely used to facilitate the extubation of ventilator-dependent preterm infants. Reports published in the late 1990s and early 2000s raised concerns about their long-term impact on neurodevelopmental outcomes. Since then, postnatal steroid use has declined sharply, but they continue to be regarded by many clinicians as an essential part of neonatal care, and there is considerable confusion as to the most appropriate time to use them. This review examines the meta-analyses of the relationship between intravenous postnatal steroids and neurodevelopmental impairment, and provides recommendations for their use based upon that body of evidence.