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Single-course antenatal corticosteroids is related to faster growth in very-low-birth-weight infant

Jiajia Jing1, Yiheng Dai2, Yanqi Li3

  • 1Department of Maternal and Child Health, School of Public Health, Sun Yat-sen University, No. 74 Zhongshang 2nd Road, Guangzhou, 510080, China.

BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth
|January 13, 2021
PubMed

Insights

Single-course antenatal corticosteroids (ACS) improve feeding and growth in very-low-birth-weight preterm infants (28-32 weeks gestation). Repeated ACS courses showed no significant benefits for these outcomes.

Area of Science:

  • Neonatalogy
  • Perinatology
  • Pediatric Growth and Nutrition

Background:

  • Antenatal corticosteroids (ACS) are crucial for preterm infant survival and lung maturation.
  • The impact of single versus repeated ACS courses on feeding and growth in very-low-birth-weight (VLBW) infants remains unclear.
  • This study investigates the differential effects of ACS regimens on VLBW preterm infant outcomes.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To compare the effects of single-course ACS versus repeated-course ACS on feeding competence and postnatal growth in VLBW preterm infants.
  • To analyze these effects across different gestational age strata.

Main Methods:

  • A multicenter retrospective cohort study of 841 VLBW preterm infants (23-37 weeks gestation) from 2011-2014 in South China.
  • Infants were stratified by gestational age: <28, 28-32, and 32-37 weeks.
  • Multiple linear regression and multilevel models analyzed associations between ACS regimens and feeding/growth outcomes.

Main Results:

  • In VLBW infants born at 28-32 weeks gestation, both single and repeated ACS reduced intubated ventilation time compared to no ACS.
  • Single-course ACS was associated with earlier amino acid/enteral nutrition and a higher weight increase rate versus non-ACS.
  • Repeated-course ACS did not show significant associations with feeding, mean weight, or weight increase rate.

Conclusions:

  • Single-course ACS positively influences feeding and growth outcomes in VLBW preterm infants born between 28-32 weeks gestation.
  • Repeated-course ACS did not demonstrate similar benefits for feeding and growth in this cohort.
  • Findings suggest a potential benefit of single-course ACS for specific growth parameters in moderately preterm infants.
Abstract

Keywords:
Antenatal corticosteroidsGrowthNutritionVery low birth weight

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