Results of network meta-analysis: relative effects of different corticosteroids versus placebo on BPD and CP
| Outcomes | Direct drug comparison studies/participants (n/N) | OR: median (95% CrI) | |
| Direct evidence | All evidence | ||
| Network estimates for different corticosteroids | |||
| BPD at 36 weeks’ PMA | |||
| Dexamethasone (high dose) | 6/659 | 0.34 (0.20 to 0.57) | 0.29 (0.14 to 0.52) |
| Dexamethasone (low dose) | 13/2180 | 0.66 (0.54 to 0.80) | 0.59 (0.39 to 0.77) |
| Hydrocortisone | 5/1022 | 0.80 (0.61 to 1.05) | 0.74 (0.43 to 1.14) |
| Budesonide | 2/886 | 0.60 (0.45 to 0.81) | 0.58 (0.29 to 1.06) |
| Fluticasone | 1/53 | 0.32 (0.08 to 1.29) | |
| Beclomethasone | 3/352 | 0.78 (0.46 to 1.35) | 0.81 (0.40 to 1.55) |
| Cerebral palsy | |||
| Dexamethasone (high dose) | 5/307 | 2.30 (1.22 to 4.36) | 2.02 (0.60 to 4.67) |
| Dexamethasone (low dose) | 3/245 | 0.61 (0.28 to 1.34) | 0.81 (0.26 to 3.13) |
| Hydrocortisone | 3/334 | 1.09 (0.57 to 2.11) | 1.79 (0.64 to 15.96) |
| Beclomethasone | 1/56 | 1.47 (0.12 to 18.47) | |
| Network estimates for different dexamethasone regimens | |||
| BPD at 36 weeks’ PMA | |||
| Dexamethasone—LHL | 2/148 | 0.38 (0.19 to 0.76) | 0.33 (0.09 to 1.03) |
| Dexamethasone—LHS | 0 | NR | 0.26 (0.02 to 2.66) |
| Dexamethasone—LLL | 5/231 | 0.63 (0.25 to 1.57) | 0.65 (0.22 to 1.63) |
| Dexamethasone—EHL | 3/140 | 0.12 (0.04 to 0.40) | 0.11 (0.02 to 0.41) |
| Dexamethasone—EHS | 1/88 | 0.91 (0.39 to 2.10) | 0.91 (0.19 to 4.24) |
| Dexamethasone—ELL | 2/106 | 0.56 (0.43 to 0.75) | 0.37 (0.16 to 0.67) |
| Dexamethasone—ELS | 5/1022 | 0.76 (0.56 to 1.02) | 0.77 (0.39 to 1.53) |
| Cerebral palsy | |||
| Dexamethasone—LHL | 2/123 | 2.38 (0.95 to 5.98) | 2.75 (0.88 to 8.01) |
| Dexamethasone—LLL | 1/56 | 0.67 (0.20 to 2.28) | 0.87 (0.22 to 3.70) |
| Dexamethasone—EHL | 1/146 | 2.23 (0.92 to 5.40) | 2.30 (0.41 to 13.22) |
| Dexamethasone—LHS | 1/22 | 0.16 (0.01 to 4.69) | 0.10 (1.66E-04 to 3.56) |
| Dexamethasone—ELL | 1/144 | 0.63 (0.24 to 1.65) | 0.53 (0.14 to 1.93) |
BPD, bronchopulmonary dysplasia; CrI, credible interval;NR, not reported; EHL, early initiation of dexamethasone prevention (≤7 days after birth) with a high total dose (>3.0 mg/kg) and a long-term duration (>3 days); EHS, early initiation of dexamethasone prevention (≤7 days after birth) with a high total dose (>3.0 mg/kg) and a short-term duration (≤3 days); ELL, early initiation of dexamethasone prevention (≤7 days after birth) with a low total dose (≤3.0 mg/kg) and a long-term duration (>3 days); ELS, early initiation of dexamethasone prevention (≤7 days after birth) with a low total dose (≤3.0 mg/kg) and a short-term duration (≤3 days); LHL, late initiation of dexamethasone prevention (>7 days after birth) with a high total dose (>3.0 mg/kg) and a long-term duration (>3 days); LHS, late initiation of dexamethasone prevention (>7 days after birth) with a high total dose (>3.0 mg/kg) and a short-term duration (≤3 days); LLL, late initiation of dexamethasone prevention (>7 days after birth) with a low total dose (≤3.0 mg/kg) and a long-term duration (>3 days); PMA, postmenstrual age.