Neonatologists are using much less dexamethasone

Arch Dis Child Fetal Neonatal Ed. 2003 Sep;88(5):F432-3. doi: 10.1136/fn.88.5.f432.

Abstract

Two historical cohorts (1993-1994 and 2001) of preterm infants ventilated for respiratory distress syndrome were compared. Dexamethasone administration fell from 22% to 6%. Chronic lung disease in survivors rose slightly from 13% to 17%, and mortality fell from 21% to 15% (other causes). The effect of restriction of dexamethasone use on chronic lung disease and mortality remains to be seen.

Publication types

  • Clinical Trial
  • Multicenter Study
  • Randomized Controlled Trial

MeSH terms

  • Birth Weight
  • Cohort Studies
  • Dexamethasone / therapeutic use*
  • Gestational Age
  • Glucocorticoids / therapeutic use*
  • Humans
  • Incidence
  • Infant Mortality
  • Infant, Newborn
  • Infant, Premature, Diseases / drug therapy
  • Infant, Premature, Diseases / mortality
  • Infant, Premature, Diseases / therapy*
  • Israel / epidemiology
  • Lung Diseases / chemically induced*
  • Respiration, Artificial / methods*
  • Respiratory Distress Syndrome, Newborn / drug therapy
  • Respiratory Distress Syndrome, Newborn / mortality
  • Respiratory Distress Syndrome, Newborn / therapy*

Substances

  • Glucocorticoids
  • Dexamethasone