Related Experiment Video

Updated: Sep 13, 2026

Assessment and Evaluation of the High Risk Neonate: The NICU Network Neurobehavioral Scale
19:15

Assessment and Evaluation of the High Risk Neonate: The NICU Network Neurobehavioral Scale

Published on: August 25, 2014

[Perinatal corticosteroid therapy: modalities, efficacy, consequences]

J F Magny1, V Rigourd, F Kieffer

  • 1Institut de Puériculture de Paris, 26, boulevard Brune, 75014 Paris.

Journal De Gynecologie, Obstetrique Et Biologie De La Reproduction
|March 10, 2001
PubMed

Insights

Corticosteroids antenatally improve fetal maturity and reduce infant mortality. Postnatal use for bronchopulmonary dysplasia offers short-term benefits but raises long-term developmental concerns.

Area of Science:

  • Neonatal medicine
  • Pediatric pulmonology
  • Pharmacology

Context:

  • Corticosteroid therapy is utilized in neonatology for two primary indications: antenatal administration to enhance fetal lung maturity and postnatal treatment of bronchopulmonary dysplasia.
  • Antenatal corticosteroids significantly reduce the incidence of hyaline membrane disease and perinatal mortality, with additional benefits observed in intraventricular hemorrhage, hemodynamic failure, patent ductus arteriosus, and necrotizing enterocolitis.
  • While generally safe with few mild side effects after single courses, contraindications are rare.

Purpose:

  • To review the established benefits and emerging concerns of corticosteroid use during the perinatal period.
  • To evaluate the efficacy and safety profile of antenatal and postnatal corticosteroid treatments in neonates.
  • To highlight the need for further research into long-term outcomes of postnatal corticosteroid therapy for bronchopulmonary dysplasia.

Summary:

  • Antenatal corticosteroid administration is a well-established intervention proven to enhance fetal lung maturity, decrease hyaline membrane disease, and reduce perinatal mortality and morbidity.
  • Postnatal corticosteroid therapy for bronchopulmonary dysplasia can shorten the duration of mechanical ventilation and oxygen dependence in premature infants.
  • However, postnatal corticosteroid use is associated with frequent acute side effects, and its impact on long-term mortality and neurodevelopmental outcomes remains uncertain, necessitating cautious application.

Impact:

  • Antenatal corticosteroid treatment represents a cornerstone of modern perinatal care, significantly improving neonatal outcomes.
  • Postnatal corticosteroid use for bronchopulmonary dysplasia requires careful risk-benefit assessment due to potential long-term adverse effects on growth and development.
  • Further research is crucial to optimize the therapeutic pathway for postnatal corticosteroid treatment, focusing on minimizing harm and maximizing benefits in vulnerable infants.

More Related Videos

Modeling Encephalopathy of Prematurity Using Prenatal Hypoxia-ischemia with Intra-amniotic Lipopolysaccharide in Rats07:36

Modeling Encephalopathy of Prematurity Using Prenatal Hypoxia-ischemia with Intra-amniotic Lipopolysaccharide in Rats

Published on: November 20, 2015

Intratracheal Instillation of Stem Cells in Term Neonatal Rats04:27

Intratracheal Instillation of Stem Cells in Term Neonatal Rats

Published on: May 4, 2020

Related Concept Videos

Teratogenicity01:07

Teratogenicity

The ability of a drug to produce structural deformations and functional abnormalities in the developing embryo or the fetus is called teratogenicity, and the drug producing this effect is known as a teratogen. Teratogenic effects include stillbirth, miscarriage, intrauterine growth restriction, and neurocognitive delay. A teratogen may affect the embryo at different stages of development, which is important in determining the type and extent of the damage. During blastocyst formation, the early...
Antiasthma Drugs: Inhaled Corticosteroids and Glucocorticoids01:25

Antiasthma Drugs: Inhaled Corticosteroids and Glucocorticoids

Inhaled corticosteroids (ICS) are anti-inflammatory drugs used primarily in treating persistent asthma and providing long-term maintenance. They target the bronchial mucosa, the lining of the airways, to control inflammation, a critical factor in asthma progression and exacerbation.
ICS work through a multifaceted mechanism of action. They suppress the inflammatory response caused by the proliferation of TH cells. They also reduce the transcription of the IL-2 gene, which is involved in the...
Drugs for Treatment of Crohn's Disease in IBD Using Immunomodulatory Agents01:29

Drugs for Treatment of Crohn's Disease in IBD Using Immunomodulatory Agents

Crohn's disease is an inflammatory bowel disorder marked by chronic inflammation of the GI tract. Various treatment strategies for Crohn's disease are employed, such as immunomodulatory agents, glucocorticoids, and biologics or anti-TNF therapy. Azathioprine (Imuran), a commonly used immunomodulatory drug for Crohn's disease, is converted in the body to mercaptopurine, which inhibits purine biosynthesis and cell proliferation. Both are utilized in severe cases of Inflammatory Bowel Disease...
Drugs for Treatment of Crohn's Disease in IBD Using Glucocorticoids01:21

Drugs for Treatment of Crohn's Disease in IBD Using Glucocorticoids

Glucocorticoids, a class of anti-inflammatory drugs, are pivotal in treating moderate to severe Crohn's disease by inducing remission. They exhibit their anti-inflammatory action by inhibiting the production of inflammatory cytokines such as tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, interleukin (IL)-1, and chemokines like IL-8. In addition, they reduce the expression of inflammatory cell adhesion molecules and inhibit gene transcription of nitric oxide synthase, phospholipase A2, cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2),...
Drug Dosing: Infants and Children01:29

Drug Dosing: Infants and Children

Pediatric patient dosages diverge from adults due to disparities in body surface area, total body water, and extracellular fluid per kilogram of body weight. The dosing regimen considers the variations in pharmacokinetics and pharmacology across distinct age groups, encompassing preterm newborns, infants, young children, older children, and adolescents. Calculation of pediatric patient doses is predicated on determining body surface area, which exhibits a superior correlation with the child's...
Intrauterine Drug Delivery Systems01:21

Intrauterine Drug Delivery Systems

Controlled-release systems for intravaginal and intrauterine drug delivery have been developed primarily for the administration of contraceptive steroid hormones. These delivery routes circumvent first-pass hepatic metabolism, thereby enhancing bioavailability and allowing for reduced systemic dosages compared to oral administration. Such approaches contribute to improved therapeutic efficacy and patient compliance, particularly in long-term contraceptive regimens.Intravaginal Drug Delivery...