Can Betamethasone Given After Birth Help Extremely Premature Babies Come Off Breathing Support Safely and Effectively?

Summary

The goal of this study is to determine if giving a steroid medication (specifically, betamethasone) after birth can help extremely premature babies (born before 28 weeks) come off breathing machines safely and reduce their risk of chronic lung disease associated with prematurity. Only babies who meet treatment criteria will receive this medication. Babies who do not meet treatment criteria will not receive medication. The main questions it aims to answer are: * Does betamethasone make it easier for babies to come off a breathing machine? * Does betamethasone cause any harmful side effects on growth or development? All babies in this study will: * Receive standard NICU care, with or without betamethasone * Have their progress, growth, and development followed over time

Timeline

Start

2026-04

Primary completion

2027-03

Completion

2029-03

Publications

• Background DeCastro M, El-Khoury N, Parton L, Ballabh P, LaGamma EF. Postnatal betamethasone vs dexamethasone in premature infants with bronchopulmonary dysplasia: a pilot study. J Perinatol. 2009 Apr;29(4):297-304. doi: 10.1038/jp.2008.194. Epub 2008 Dec 4.

Drugs

Indications