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The Effect of Multiple Antenatal Courses of Corticosteroids on Neonatal Growth and Development Until Six Months
Author(s) -
Maryam Kaveh B,
Baghbahadorani Fahimeh Kaveh,
Bostan Atefeh,
Dehkordi Ali Hassanpour,
Sedehi Morteza
Publication year - 2020
Publication title -
the faseb journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.709
H-Index - 277
eISSN - 1530-6860
pISSN - 0892-6638
DOI - 10.1096/fasebj.2020.34.s1.09286
Subject(s) - medicine , pediatrics , respiratory distress , birth weight , apgar score , checklist , low birth weight , corticosteroid , bronchopulmonary dysplasia , pregnancy , gestational age , anesthesia , surgery , psychology , biology , cognitive psychology , genetics
PURPOSE Preterm birth is associated with multiple complications, such as respiratory distress syndrome, intracranial hemorrhage, and arterial duct openness, resulting in high mortality in preterm infants. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of multiple antenatal courses of corticosteroids on neonatal growth and development until six months. Methods In our retrospective study, the history of corticosteroid exposure was extracted from the maternal medical record and history of the drug prescription. Based on the antenatal corticosteroids exposure, newborns were assigned into the first group (i. e., no exposure or exposure to a single dose of corticosteroid), the second group (exposure to one course of corticosteroid therapy), and the third group (i. e., exposure to more than one course of corticosteroid therapy). The newborn characteristics at birth and duration of hospitalization were recorded in each group. After discharge, weight, height, and head circumference were determined at two months intervals for six months. Neonatal evolution and ability were also studied based on the Milestones checklist. Data were analyzed by t‐test and expressed as Mean ± SD. Results There were no significant differences in the mean birth weight and Apgar scores at minutes 1 and 5 among groups (p > 0.05). Besides, mean weight, head circumference, and height at months 2, 4, and 6 were not significantly different among the studied groups (p > 0.05). The mean score of the Milestones checklist, including motion, language, activity, and social‐emotional scores, did not differ significantly between the study groups at months 2, 4, and 6 (p > 0.05). The duration of hospitalization was not significantly different among the studied groups (p > 0.05). However, the mean duration of hospitalization in the first group (9.67 days) was more than those in the second and third groups (7.05 and 6.35 days). Conclusion Treatment with repeated doses of corticosteroids reduced the duration of hospitalization; however, it did not significantly affect the growth and abilities of newborns.