Blood pressure at 6 years of age after prenatal exposure to betamethasone: follow-up results of a randomized, controlled trial.
OBJECTIVE
To determine whether prenatal exposure to betamethasone for the prevention of neonatal respiratory distress syndrome (RDS) alters blood pressure in childhood.


METHODS
Prospective follow-up study of a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial.


METHODS
National Women's Hospital (Auckland, New Zealand).


METHODS
Two hundred twenty-three 6-year-old children of mothers who presented with unplanned premature labor and took part in a randomized, controlled trial of prenatal betamethasone therapy for the prevention of neonatal RDS.


METHODS
Mothers received 2 doses of betamethasone (12 mg) or placebo, administered through intramuscular injection, 24 hours apart.


METHODS
Systolic and diastolic blood pressure at 6 years of age.


RESULTS
Children exposed prenatally to betamethasone (n = 121) did not differ in systolic or diastolic blood pressure from children exposed to placebo (n = 102) (mean difference: systolic: -1.6 mm Hg; 95% confidence interval: -4.1 to 0.8 mm Hg; diastolic: -0.3 mm Hg; 95% confidence interval: -2.5 to 1.8 mm Hg).


CONCLUSIONS
Prenatal exposure to betamethasone for prevention of neonatal RDS does not alter blood pressure at 6 years of age.
Dalziel
Stuart R
SR
Clinical Trials Research Unit, Liggins Institute, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand.
Liang
Allen
A
Parag
Varsha
V
Rodgers
Anthony
A
Harding
Jane E
JE
D001623:Betamethasone / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001794:Blood Pressure / Q000187:drug effects*; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D005938:Glucocorticoids / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008297:Male; D007752:Obstetric Labor, Premature; D011247:Pregnancy; D011297:Prenatal Exposure Delayed Effects; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; D012127:Respiratory Distress Syndrome, Newborn / Q000517:prevention & control*
D005938:Glucocorticoids; D001623:Betamethasone