Related Experiment Video

Updated: Nov 3, 2025

Intratracheal Instillation of Stem Cells in Term Neonatal Rats
04:27

Intratracheal Instillation of Stem Cells in Term Neonatal Rats

Published on: May 4, 2020

5.8K

The effect of postnatal corticosteroids on growth parameters in infants with bronchopulmonary dysplasia

Emma E Williams1, Theodore Dassios1,2, Mikhaela Mann1

  • 1Department of Women and Children's Health, School of Life Course Sciences, Faculty of Life Sciences and Medicine, King's College, London, UK.

Journal of Perinatal Medicine
|June 4, 2021
PubMed

Insights

Postnatal corticosteroid treatment did not impact the long-term growth of preterm infants with bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD). This study found no significant differences in weight or head circumference growth between treated and untreated infants.

Area of Science:

  • Neonatal medicine
  • Pediatric pulmonology
  • Clinical pharmacology

Background:

  • Bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) is a chronic lung disease affecting preterm infants.
  • Corticosteroids are used to improve respiratory function and facilitate extubation in infants with BPD.
  • A potential side effect of corticosteroid therapy is acute growth impairment.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate the effect of postnatal corticosteroids on the overall growth of infants with BPD throughout their neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) stay.
  • To analyze growth in terms of weight and head circumference z-scores from birth to discharge.

Main Methods:

  • A population-based study of extremely preterm infants diagnosed with BPD.
  • Corticosteroid therapy defined as treatment with dexamethasone or hydrocortisone for at least five consecutive days.
  • Growth assessment involved calculating the change in weight and head circumference z-scores from birth to discharge.

Main Results:

  • The study included 6,104 infants with BPD; 28.3% received postnatal corticosteroids.
  • Infants receiving corticosteroids were more premature (GA 25.0 vs. 26.3 weeks) and had lower birthweights (0.70 vs. 0.84 kg).
  • No significant differences were observed in weight gain (p=0.61) or head circumference growth (p=0.33) between infants who received corticosteroids and those who did not. Multiple vs. single courses also showed no significant growth differences.

Conclusions:

  • Postnatal corticosteroid administration did not demonstrate a significant effect on the long-term growth of preterm infants diagnosed with BPD.
  • The findings suggest that while corticosteroids are beneficial for respiratory outcomes, they do not adversely affect overall postnatal growth in this population.
Abstract

Keywords:
bronchopulmonary dysplasiacorticosteroidgrowthpostnatal

More Related Videos

Breast Milk Enhances Growth of Enteroids: An Ex Vivo Model of Cell Proliferation09:02

Breast Milk Enhances Growth of Enteroids: An Ex Vivo Model of Cell Proliferation

Published on: February 15, 2018

19.7K
Mouse Pneumonectomy Model of Compensatory Lung Growth09:22

Mouse Pneumonectomy Model of Compensatory Lung Growth

Published on: December 17, 2014

13.3K

Related Concept Videos

COPD: Management Using Bronchodilators and Corticosteroids01:26

COPD: Management Using Bronchodilators and Corticosteroids

Chronic obstructive pulmonary isease (COPD) involves a group of progressive lung disorders characterized by persistent airflow limitation and chronic respiratory symptoms. Asthma-COPD Overlap Syndrome (ACOS), encompassing features of both asthma and Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), is a group of progressive lung disorders that includes chronic bronchitis, emphysema, and refractory (non-reversible) asthma. ACOS leads to complex clinical presentations that combine the inflammatory...
504
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...
1.2K
Upper Respiratory Drugs: Antitussives, Expectorants, and Mucolytics01:23

Upper Respiratory Drugs: Antitussives, Expectorants, and Mucolytics

Respiratory symptoms, such as congestion and cough, commonly accompany respiratory tract conditions. Various medications, such as antitussives, expectorants, and mucolytics, play crucial roles in providing relief.
Antitussives include codeine, dextromethorphan (Robitussin), and benzonatate (Tessalon). Codeine and dextromethorphan exert their effects centrally by suppressing the cough reflex center in the medulla.  Benzonatate operates peripherally within the respiratory tract by...
608
Nature and Nurture01:10

Nature and Nurture

Many human characteristics, like height, are shaped by both nature—in other words, by our genes—and by nurture, or our environment. For example, chronic stress during childhood inhibits the production of growth hormones and consequently reduces bone growth and height. Scientists estimate that 70-90% of variation in height is due to genetic differences among individuals, and 10-30% of variation in height is due to differences in the environments that individuals experience,...
21.2K
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...
258
Antiasthma Drugs: β2-Adrenoceptor Agonists01:25

Antiasthma Drugs: β2-Adrenoceptor Agonists

Bronchodilators are critical in managing asthma, a chronic respiratory condition characterized by airway constriction due to inflammation and hyper-reactivity. Specifically, bronchodilators ease this constriction by relaxing the bronchial muscles, facilitating easier breathing.
One class of bronchodilators includes β2-adrenoceptor agonists. These agents target the β2-adrenoceptors located on bronchial smooth muscle cells. By stimulating these receptors, β2-agonists induce...
1.4K