Postnatal hydrocortisone treatment for chronic lung disease in the preterm newborn and long-term neurodevelopmental follow-up.
The benefits versus the risks of postnatal administration of steroids in preterm-born infants are still debatable. This review examines the literature on postnatal hydrocortisone treatment for chronic lung disease (CLD) in preterm-born infants with a particular focus on the effects of such treatment on long-term neurodevelopmental outcomes. Quantitative published evidence does not point to a clear advantage of treatment with hydrocortisone over dexamethasone with regard to the impact on long-term neurological outcomes. However, in the absence of a randomised comparison, a consensus may soon have to be reached on the basis of the best available evidence whether hydrocortisone should replace dexamethasone in the treatment of CLD.
Rademaker
K J
KJ
Department of Neonatology, University Medical Center Utrecht/Wilhelmina Children's Hospital, Utrecht, The Netherlands. k.rademaker@umcutrecht.nl
de Vries
L S
LS
Uiterwaal
C S P M
CS
Groenendaal
F
F
Grobbee
D E
DE
van Bel
F
F
D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents / Q000009:adverse effects*; D002657:Child Development / Q000187:drug effects*; D002908:Chronic Disease; D003907:Dexamethasone / Q000009:adverse effects*; D006801:Humans; D006854:Hydrocortisone / Q000009:adverse effects*; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007234:Infant, Premature; D007235:Infant, Premature, Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy; D008171:Lung Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy*; D009422:Nervous System Diseases / Q000209:etiology*
D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents; D003907:Dexamethasone; D006854:Hydrocortisone