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Randomized controlled trial of dexamethasone treatment in very‐low‐birth‐weight infants with ventilator‐dependent chronic lung disease
Author(s) -
Ohlsson A,
Calvert SA,
Hosking M,
Shennan AT
Publication year - 1992
Publication title -
acta pædiatrica
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.772
H-Index - 115
eISSN - 1651-2227
pISSN - 0803-5253
DOI - 10.1111/j.1651-2227.1992.tb12096.x
Subject(s) - medicine , dexamethasone , bronchopulmonary dysplasia , weaning , randomized controlled trial , mechanical ventilation , anesthesia , incidence (geometry) , low birth weight , ventilation (architecture) , gestational age , pregnancy , mechanical engineering , physics , engineering , biology , optics , genetics
This randomized controlled trial was designed to answer the question: does administration of dexamethasone to neonates with bronchopulmonary dysplasia decrease the need for assisted ventilation? Twenty‐five infants with a birth weight < 1501 g, requiring mechanical ventilation and FiO 2 of ± 0.30 at 21‐35 days of age, were randomized to treatment with iv dexamethasone or to sham injections for 12 days. The primary outcome criterion was extubation within seven days after study entry. Treatment ( n = 12) and control ( n = 13) groups were well matched at entry. Dexamethasone facilitated weaning from assisted ventilation ( p = 0.0154). There was no increased incidence of infection. Dexamethasone treatment resulted in a significant increase in glucosuria ( p = 0.0002) and in systolic blood pressure ( p = 0.0034). There was a significant decrease in heart rate ( p = 0.0001) and a significant weight loss ( p = 0.0002) following dexamethasone treatment. Dexamethasone treatment facilitated weaning from assisted ventilation but several systemic effects were noted that deserve further evaluation before dexamethasone becomes routine treatment.