• Neonatology
• Respiratory
• Therapeutics

Chronic lung disease (CLD) remains an important cause of mortality and morbidity in preterm infants. Lung inflammation, whether of antenatal or postnatal onset, is a major factor in its pathogenesis. Corticosteroids modulate inflammation, improve lung function and reduce ventilator dependency in infants with CLD,1 yet doubts remain about longer-term efficacy and safety. The last two decades have witnessed large oscillations in steroid use to treat CLD, from high-dose protracted treatment courses to virtually zero use, and more recently back towards lower dose regimens. Current trends in the UK are unclear. We therefore conducted a national survey to determine current practices.

In the period between August and November 2014, we contacted via email or telephone a consultant neonatologist or senior specialty training …