title: Growth and neurodevelopment in extremely low-birth-weight neonates exposed to postnatal steroid therapy.
abstract: We compared postnatal growth and neurodevelopment in extremely low-birth-weight (<1000 g) neonates who did or did not receive postnatal steroid (PNS) therapy for bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD). One hundred seventy-three neonates with Bayley Scales of Infant Development II (BSID II) testing performed at 18- to 22-month adjusted age were studied. Growth parameters and BSID II scales were compared among three groups: group I, no BPD; group II, BPD, no PNS; group III, BPD and PNS exposure. A subset of 77 neonates' growth parameters were retrieved at 12-month adjusted age. Psychomotor Development Index (PDI) and Mental Development Index (MDI) scales were lower in group III versus groups I and II. Growth velocity (GV) was lower in group III versus group I and II during the initial hospital stay. In the subset, GV from birth to 1-year adjusted age and weight, length, and head circumference determined at 1-year adjusted age were similar among the groups. Multivariate analysis revealed a significant effect of group membership and cystic periventricular leukomalacia on PDI. These results suggest that a deleterious effect of PNS therapy on neurodevelopment can occur by a mechanism that does not impair overall growth or growth of head circumference.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatrics, School of Nursing, The University of Texas at Arlington, USA.
authors.forename: Judy L
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: LeFlore
authors.forename: William D
authors.initials: WD
authors.lastname: Engle
mesh_terms: D001827:Body Height; D001835:Body Weight; D001997:Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia / Q000188:drug therapy*; D002508:Cephalometry; D002658:Developmental Disabilities / Q000209:etiology*; D003907:Dexamethasone / Q000009:adverse effects*; D005260:Female; D005938:Glucocorticoids / Q000009:adverse effects*; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D052577:Infant, Extremely Low Birth Weight / Q000254:growth & development*; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007969:Leukomalacia, Periventricular / Q000150:complications; D008297:Male; D015999:Multivariate Analysis; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests; D011597:Psychomotor Performance / Q000187:drug effects
chemical_list: D005938:Glucocorticoids; D003907:Dexamethasone