title: Cognitive outcome in adolescents and young adults after repeat courses of antenatal corticosteroids.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To investigate whether repeat courses of antenatal corticosteroids have long-term effects on cognitive and psychological functioning.
  
  
  METHODS
  In a prospective cohort study, 58 adolescents and young adults (36 males) who had been exposed to 2-9 weekly courses of betamethasone in utero were assessed with neuropsychological tests and behavior self-reports. Unexposed subjects (n = 44, 25 males) matched for age, sex, and gestational age at birth served as a comparison group. In addition, individuals exposed in utero to a single course (n = 25, 14 males) were included for dose-response analysis. Group differences were investigated using multilevel linear modeling.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Mean scores obtained in 2 measures of attention and speed were significantly lower in subjects exposed to 2 or more antenatal corticosteroids courses (Symbol Search, P = .009; Digit Span Forward, P = .02), but these were not dose-dependent. Exposure to repeat courses of antenatal corticosteroids was not associated with general deficits in higher cognitive functions, self-reported attention, adaptability, or overall psychological function.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Although this study indicates that repeat exposure to antenatal corticosteroids may have an impact on aspects of executive functioning, it does not provide support for the prevailing concern that such fetal exposure will have a major adverse impact on cognitive functions and psychological health later in life.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology Stockholm University, Stockholm, Sweden.
authors.forename: Johanna
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Stålnacke
authors.forename: Rochellys
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Diaz Heijtz
authors.forename: Hanna
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Norberg
authors.forename: Mikael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Norman
authors.forename: Ann-Charlotte
authors.initials: AC
authors.lastname: Smedler
authors.forename: Hans
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Forssberg
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D000328:Adult; D003071:Cognition / Q000187:drug effects*; D015331:Cohort Studies; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011247:Pregnancy; D011297:Prenatal Exposure Delayed Effects; D011446:Prospective Studies; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones
keywords: WAIS; WISC; Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale; Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children