Elsevier

The Journal of Pediatrics

Volume 104, Issue 2, February 1984, Pages 259-267
The Journal of Pediatrics

Effects of antenatal dexamethasone administration in the infant: Long-term follow-up

https://doi.org/10.1016/S0022-3476(84)81009-4Get rights and content

Follow-up evaluations during the first 3 years of life (at 9, 18, and 36 months) were carried out in infants born to women enrolled in a double-blind, randomized trial to evaluate the efficacy and safety of antenatal dexamethasone administration for the prevention of respiratory distress syndrome. Of 739 infants born to 678 mothers, 93 (12.7%), equally distributed between placebo and steroid groups had died, and 240 (32.5%) were lost to follow-up at the end of 3 years. Weight and height at 18 and 36 months, respectively, were slightly greater in infants in the steroid group. No statistically significant differences were observed between the placebo and steroid groups with regard to head circumference and neurologic abnormalities. The Mental Development Index and the Psychomotor Development Index of the Bayley Scales at 9 and 18 months, and the General Cognitive Index or any subscales of the McCarthy Scales of Children's Abilities at 36 months also indicated comparable development within the two groups. No treatment effect was observed on developmental outcomes in boys or girls, in different racial groups, or in different socioeconomic groups. As might be expected. horwever, MDI, PDI and GCI were significantly influenced by socioeconomic levels. It is concluded that no detectable growth, physical, motor, or developmental deficiencies within the first 3 years of life can be attributed to antenatal dexamethasone therapy in the mothers just prior to delivery.

References (35)

  • LigginsGC et al.

    A controlled trial of antepartum glucocorticoid treatment for prevention of the respiratory distress syndrome in premature infants

    Pediatrics

    (1972)
  • MacArthurBA et al.

    Cognitive and psychosocial development of 4-year old children whose mothers were treated antenatally with betametasone

    Pediatrics

    (1981)
  • MacArthurBA et al.

    School progress and cognitive development of 6-year old children whose mothers were treated antenatally with betamethasone

    Pediatrics

    (1982)
  • CaspiE et al.

    Prevention of the respiratory distress syndrome in premature infants by antepartum glucocorticoid therapy

    Br J Obstet Gynaecol

    (1976)
  • PapagcorgiouAN et al.

    The antenatal use of betamethasone in the prevention of respiratory distress syndrome: A controlled double-blind study

    Pediatrics

    (1979)
  • effect of antenatal dexamethasone administration on the prevention of respiratory distress syndrome

    Am J Obstet Gynecol

    (1981)
  • PrechtlH et al.

    The neurological examination of the full-term newborn infant

    Little Club Clin Dev Med

    (1964)
  • Cited by (157)

    • When has enough evidence accumulated to change neonatal practice?

      2015, Seminars in Fetal and Neonatal Medicine
    • Safety of dermatologic drugs used in pregnant patients with psoriasis and other inflammatory skin diseases

      2008, Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology
      Citation Excerpt :

      Other studies suggest that multiple courses of maternal corticosteroid treatment late in pregnancy to prevent complications of prematurity are associated with reduced birth weight, length, and head circumference in preterm infants.80-82 However, no growth, physical, motor, or developmental deficiencies that could be attributed to dexamethasone were observed in a 3-year follow-up study of 200 children delivered to women treated shortly before delivery with dexamethasone to promote fetal lung maturation.83 Long-term effects on growth, neurodevelopment, and social-emotional functioning have not been associated with exposure to a single course of corticosteroids during pregnancy.84-86

    View all citing articles on Scopus

    Supported by the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute, National Institutes of Health (contracts 1-HR-6-2948, 2949, 2950, 2951, 2952, and 2953).

    View full text