Morbidity in the neonatal period in preterm infants receiving either a three day course of dexamethasone (Dex) or placebo
| Placebo (n=79) | Dex (n=80) |
Odds ratio (95% CI) or p value | |
| ROP (all grades) | 28 (35%) | 32 (42%) | 1.21 (0.64 to 2.3) |
| Sepsis/pneumonia | 35 (44%) | 34 (43%) | 0.93 (0.5 to 1.74) |
| PDA | 22 (28%) | 17 (21%) | 0.70 (0.34 to 1.44) |
| Pneumothorax/PIE | 8 (10%) | 7 (9%) | 0.99 (0.33 to 2.94) |
| NEC | 7 (9%) | 6 (8%) | 0.84 (0.27 to 2.59) |
| Ventilation (days) | 12 (15) | 8.4 (13) | p=0.09 |
| Duration of O2(days) | 24 (33) | 25 (36) | p=0.97 |
| Steroids for BPD (days) | 8.4 (17) | 4.9 (13) | p=0.15 |
| Steroids for BPD (n) | 26 (33%) | 17 (21%) | p=0.1 |
| O2 at 36 weeks GA | 11 (14%) | 11 (14%) | 0.99 (0.40 to 2.42) |
| O2 at 40 weeks GA | 6 (8%) | 6 (8%) | 0.99 (0.31 to 3.19) |
Values are mean (SD) unless otherwise indicated.
ROP, Retinopathy of prematurity; PDA, patent ductus arteriosus; PIE, pulmonary interstitial emphysema; NEC, necrotising enterocolitis; BPD, bronchopulmonary dysplasia; GA, gestational age.