Antenatal steroids and neonatal periventricular leukomalacia.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the effect of antenatal steroid treatment on the development of neonatal periventricular leukomalacia.


METHODS
This retrospective cohort study included 1161 neonates with gestational ages of 24-34 weeks and birth weights of 500-1750 g, divided into two groups on the basis of antenatal steroid treatment. Neonatal neurosonograms were done on days 3 and 7 of life and labeled normal or abnormal. The abnormal outcomes evaluated were periventricular leukomalacia or intraventricular hemorrhage, periventricular leukomalacia with intraventricular hemorrhage, and isolated periventricular leukomalacia. The group treated with antenatal steroids was compared with the untreated group for these outcomes.


RESULTS
Antenatal steroids were associated with significantly less periventricular leukomalacia or intraventricular hemorrhage (23% versus 31%, P =.005), periventricular leukomalacia with intraventricular hemorrhage (5% versus 11%, P =.001), and isolated periventricular leukomalacia (3% versus 7%, P =.009). Logistic regression analysis of antenatal steroid treatment, controlling for confounding maternal and neonatal characteristics, indicated that neonates treated with antenatal steroids had a 56% lower likelihood of periventricular leukomalacia with intraventricular hemorrhage (adjusted odds ratio [OR] 0.44, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.25, 0.77) and a 58% lower likelihood of isolated periventricular leukomalacia (adjusted OR 0.42, 95% CI 0.20, 0.88).


CONCLUSIONS
Antenatal steroid treatment was associated with over 50% reduction in the incidence of periventricular leukomalacia in preterm neonates. Increased use of antenatal steroid therapy might improve long-term neonatal neurologic outcomes.
Canterino
J C
JC
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, New York Medical College, Westchester Medical Center, Valhalla, New York, USA.
Verma
U
U
Visintainer
P F
PF
Elimian
A
A
Klein
S A
SA
Tejani
N
N
D001623:Betamethasone / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005938:Glucocorticoids / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007234:Infant, Premature; D007235:Infant, Premature, Diseases / Q000517:prevention & control*; D007969:Leukomalacia, Periventricular / Q000517:prevention & control*; D016015:Logistic Models; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D005938:Glucocorticoids; D001623:Betamethasone