Twenty-year follow-up of antenatal corticosteroid treatment.
OBJECTIVE
To study late side effects of antenatal corticosteroid treatment on health and sexual development in subjects 20 to 22 years old.


METHODS
A follow-up study among young adults whose mothers had, because of a threatening delivery, participated in a randomized, double-blind, placebo- controlled trial of betamethasone to prevent neonatal respiratory distress syndrome. Measurements were taken on general health, growth, development in puberty, reproductivity, genital or gynecological complaints, gender development, sexual orientation, sex-specific cognitive functioning, and psychoneuroticism. In addition, some measurements were performed on family diseases, socioeconomic status, and education.


RESULTS
No differences were found between the corticosteroid-treated and placebo groups as to medical or psychological variables. In general, the subjects were healthy and had normal intellectual capacities. Groups did not differ on gender development, sexual orientation, sex-specific cognitive functioning, and psychoneuroticism. Systolic blood pressure was significantly lower in the corticosteroid group, but the groups did not differ as to diastolic blood pressure.


CONCLUSIONS
Our 20-year follow-up study indicates that 1 course of antenatally administered corticosteroid to prevent respiratory distress syndrome does not have adverse effects up to adulthood.
Dessens
A B
AB
Academic Medical Center, University of Amsterdam, Department of Neonatology, Amsterdam, The Netherlands. arides@delta-pz.nl
Haas
H S
HS
Koppe
J G
JG
D000328:Adult; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents / Q000009:adverse effects*; D001623:Betamethasone / Q000009:adverse effects*; D003071:Cognition; D004522:Educational Status; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D005831:Genital Diseases, Female / Q000209:etiology; D005832:Genital Diseases, Male / Q000209:etiology; D006128:Growth; D006304:Health Status; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007360:Intelligence; D008297:Male; D011247:Pregnancy; D011297:Prenatal Exposure Delayed Effects; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; D012098:Reproduction; D012127:Respiratory Distress Syndrome, Newborn / Q000517:prevention & control; D020018:Sexual Dysfunctions, Psychological / Q000209:etiology; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors
D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents; D001623:Betamethasone