[The use of corticosteroids in bronchopulmonary dysplasia]

In order to study the effect of dexamethasone on the ventilatory function of 13 neonates with bronchopulmonary dysplasia, a retrospective investigation was carried out in the University Hospital Rotterdam, Sophia Children's Hospital, Neonatal Intensive Care Unit. Thirteen preterm neonates, 7 boys and 6 girls, born after 26 4/7-32 weeks' gestation with birth weights between 680 and 1800 g were studied. At the age of 21 days they all showed clinical and radiological evidence of BPD and despite maximal therapy they deteriorated during the last week before entering into the study. The potentially successful dexamethasone schedule of Avery was started. After four days' therapy only 3 patients out of 13 were still on the ventilator. Ventilatory support could be stopped in all neonates after 4.7 (SD 2.0) days. No hypertension or hyperglycaemia was seen. Only 1 child had a positive blood culture; this was successfully treated. In the end two children died. The use of corticosteroids in bronchopulmonary dysplasia in this study showed a positive short-term effect. Long-term sequelae and the risk of infection are still controversial.