Table 2

Characteristics of trials included in the review: trials where dexamethasone has begun 7–14 days of age

Author	Year	Double blinded	Dose (mg/kg/day)	Course length (day)	Start age	No of patients	Characteristics
Durandet al 34	1995	No	0.5 (3), 0.25 (3), 0.1 (3)	7	7–14 d	43	501–1500 g; 24–32 w; MV at 7–14 d; surfactant 26% in dex and 65% in control received steroids
Brozanski et al 35	1995	Yes	0.5 (3) every 10 days, until^*36 w PMA or no O₂ therapy	Until 36 w PMA	7 d	78	<1500 g; stratified <1000, >1001; surfactant; MV No crossover
Kari et al 36	1993	Yes	0.5 (7)	7	10 d	41	<1500 g; >24 w; MV at 10 days; only 3 patients in in dex group and 1 control received surfactant 33% of controls received steroids
Cummings et al 37		1989		Yes		0.5 (3), 0.3 (3), then ↓ by 10% every 3 days until 0.1 and then on alternate days for 1 week		42	14 d	36	<1250 g; <30 w; MV at 14 days; randomised to three groups, 42 d, 18 d, and control
Cummings et al 37		1989		Yes				18	14 d	36

Figures in parentheses indicate days. PMA = post menstrual age; dex = dexamethasone.