Rescue Antenatal Steroids and Pulmonary Function Tests in Preterm Infants

Summary

One course of steroids given to a mother before a premature delivery helps the lungs of the premature infant and decreases breathing problems. One course of antenatal steroids is the standard of care for threatened premature deliveries. It is unclear as to how long the benefit of one course of steroids last. The most benefit to the baby's lungs seem to occur if the steroids are given at least 24 hours before but within 7 days of a premature delivery. It is difficult to predict the timing of a preterm delivery so deliveries often do not occur within this time period. We hypothesize that the benefits of the steroids to the lungs wear off if the steroids are given more than 14 days before a preterm delivery, and that in these circumstances an extra course of steroids will help the premature baby's lungs and the premature baby will have less breathing problems as shown by lung function testing.

Timeline

Start

2001-06

Primary completion

2007-07

Completion

2009-11

Publications

• Results McEvoy C, Schilling D, Peters D, Tillotson C, Spitale P, Wallen L, Segel S, Bowling S, Gravett M, Durand M. Respiratory compliance in preterm infants after a single rescue course of antenatal steroids: a randomized controlled trial. Am J Obstet Gynecol. 2010 Jun;202(6):544.e1-9. doi: 10.1016/j.ajog.2010.01.038. Epub 2010 Mar 15.
• Results McEvoy C, Schilling D, Spitale P, O'Malley J, Bowling S, Durand M. Pulmonary function and outcomes in infants randomized to a rescue course of antenatal steroids. Pediatr Pulmonol. 2017 Sep;52(9):1171-1178. doi: 10.1002/ppul.23711. Epub 2017 Apr 24.
• Results Jordan BK, Schilling D, McEvoy CT. The window of improved neonatal respiratory compliance after rescue antenatal steroids. J Perinatol. 2018 Jul;38(7):828-833. doi: 10.1038/s41372-018-0124-9. Epub 2018 May 24.
• Results Jordan BK, Schilling D, McEvoy CT. Pulmonary Function at Hospital Discharge in Preterm Infants Randomized to a Single Rescue Course of Antenatal Steroids. J Pediatr. 2017 Feb;181:62-66.e1. doi: 10.1016/j.jpeds.2016.10.022. Epub 2016 Nov 7.

Drugs

Indications

No indication recorded.