Early Low-Dose Hydrocortisone Therapy in Extremely Preterm Neonates Not Linked To Poor Neurodevelopmental Outcomes

MedicalResearch.com Interview with:

Prof. Olivier Baud MD Chef de Service, Réanimation et Pédiatrie Néonatales Team leader, INSERM U1141 Université Paris-Diderot, Sorbonne Paris Cité Département Hospitalo-Universitaire "PROTECT" Hôpital Robert Debré, Paris, France

Prof. Baud

Prof. Olivier Baud MD
Chef de Service, Réanimation et Pédiatrie Néonatales
Team leader, INSERM U1141
Université Paris-Diderot, Sorbonne Paris Cité
Département Hospitalo-Universitaire “PROTECT”
Hôpital Robert Debré, Paris, France

MedicalResearch.com: What is the background for this study?

Response: Preterm birth is frequently associated with perinatal inflammation, a major risk factor for bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD). Because glucocorticoids alleviate systemic inflammation, they have been proposed as a therapeutic option in very preterm infants. Early dexamethasone therapy led to short-term benefits but was associated with cerebral palsy and other adverse neurodevelopmental events. Early treatment with low-dose hydrocortisone has been reported to improve short-term outcomes in extremely preterm infants. However, its safety remains to be assessed with regard to the long-term neurodevelopmental outcomes.

MedicalResearch.com: What are the main findings?

Response: In the present study, we found that early low-dose hydrocortisone was not associated with adverse neurological events at the age of 2 years. Median global developmental quotients were not different between treatment groups in the population as a whole (92 [IQR, 86 to 100] in the hydrocortisone group and 93 [IQR, 85 to 100] in the placebo group).

MedicalResearch.com: What should readers take away from your report?

Response: Early hydrocortisone therapy appears beneficial on survival without bronchopulmonary dysplasia  and safe on neurological outcomes in a population of highly vulnerable preterm infants.

MedicalResearch.com: What recommendations do you have for future research as a result of this study?

Response: This report should be confirmed by an individualized data meta-analysis of similar randomized controlled trial using prophylactic hydrocortisone in extremely preterm infants. We will also continue to assess the safety of hydrocortisone at preschool-age.

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Citation:

Association Between Early Low-Dose Hydrocortisone Therapy in Extremely Preterm Neonates and Neurodevelopmental Outcomes at 2 Years of Age

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Last Updated on April 6, 2017 by Marie Benz MD FAAD

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