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Combined Antioxidant and Glucocorticoid Therapy for Safer Treatment of Preterm Birth

Tessa A C Garrud1, Dino A Giussani1

  • 1Department of Physiology Development & Neuroscience, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK; Cambridge Cardiovascular Strategic Research Initiative, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK; Cambridge Strategic Research Initiative on Reproduction, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK.

Trends in Endocrinology and Metabolism: TEM
|March 10, 2019
PubMed

Insights

Glucocorticoid therapy for preterm infants is effective but may cause harm. Combining it with antioxidants could offer a safer treatment option, reducing risks to infant growth and development.

Area of Science:

  • Neonatal medicine
  • Pharmacology
  • Developmental biology

Background:

  • Ante- and postnatal glucocorticoid therapy is a successful clinical translation of basic science, significantly reducing preterm infant morbidity and mortality.
  • However, concerns exist regarding potential long-term adverse effects on offspring growth, neurological, and cardiovascular function.
  • Evidence stems from human clinical and animal model studies.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To explore the potential benefits and safety of combined antioxidant and glucocorticoid therapy compared to glucocorticoid therapy alone for preterm infants.
  • To review existing evidence on the long-term effects of glucocorticoid treatment in preterm neonates.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of human clinical studies.
  • Literature review of experimental studies in animal models.
  • Analysis of evidence regarding combined antioxidant and glucocorticoid therapy.

Main Results:

  • Glucocorticoid therapy demonstrates efficacy in reducing immediate preterm infant complications.
  • Significant concerns are raised about potential long-term adverse outcomes associated with glucocorticoid use.
  • The review investigates the safety profile of adding antioxidants to glucocorticoid regimens.

Conclusions:

  • Combined antioxidant and glucocorticoid therapy may represent a safer alternative to glucocorticoid monotherapy for preterm infants.
  • Further research is warranted to confirm the safety and efficacy of this combined approach.
  • Mitigating long-term adverse effects is a critical consideration in neonatal care for preterm infants.

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