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Post-natal corticosteroids are associated with reduced expiratory flows in children born very preterm

Lucia J Smith1, Peter P van Asperen, Karen O McKay

  • 1Department of Respiratory Medicine, The Children's Hospital at Westmead, Westmead, New South Wales, Australia.

Journal of Paediatrics and Child Health
|June 29, 2011
PubMed

Insights

Corticosteroids given to premature infants did not impact school-age lung function, but postnatal steroids were linked to reduced airflow. Further research is needed on postnatal corticosteroid effects on lung development.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Pulmonology
  • Neonatal Medicine
  • Respiratory Medicine

Background:

  • Infants born very prematurely often receive corticosteroids to reduce the risk of bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD).
  • The long-term effects of these treatments on school-age lung function remain unclear.
  • Understanding these impacts is crucial for optimizing respiratory care in preterm infants.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the long-term impact of corticosteroid treatment on school-age lung function in very preterm infants.
  • To determine if a BPD diagnosis or antenatal/postnatal corticosteroid exposure affects lung function at approximately 10 years of age.

Main Methods:

  • A cross-sectional study included 105 children born at a mean gestation of 27 weeks.
  • Lung function was assessed at a mean age of 10 years using spirometry.
  • Corticosteroid exposure (antenatal and postnatal) was documented from medical records.

Main Results:

  • Children with BPD showed no significant difference in spirometry compared to those without BPD.
  • Antenatal corticosteroid treatment alone did not adversely affect lung airflow.
  • Children who received postnatal corticosteroids exhibited significantly lower expiratory airflow (FEV1 and FEF25%-75%) compared to those who did not.

Conclusions:

  • A BPD diagnosis did not predict reduced lung function in middle childhood.
  • Postnatal corticosteroid exposure in preterm infants was associated with reduced expiratory airflow at school age.
  • While postnatal corticosteroids may indicate lung disease severity, their direct impact on lung development warrants further investigation.
Abstract

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