Related Experiment Video

Updated: Nov 2, 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

Effectiveness and safety of repeat dexamethasone for bronchopulmonary dysplasia

Alain Cuna1,2,3, Anastasia Quiqley4, Kevin Varghese5

  • 1Division of Neonatology, Children's Mercy Kansas City, Kansas City, MO, USA. accuna@cmh.edu.

Journal of Perinatology : Official Journal of the California Perinatal Association
|June 9, 2021
PubMed

Insights

Repeat dexamethasone courses for bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) were less effective in reducing respiratory support needs compared to initial treatment. However, repeat dexamethasone did not significantly impact infant growth trajectories.

Area of Science:

  • Neonatal Medicine
  • Pediatric Pulmonology
  • Pharmacology

Background:

  • Bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) is a chronic lung disease in premature infants.
  • Dexamethasone is a corticosteroid sometimes used to improve respiratory outcomes in BPD.
  • The effectiveness and safety of repeat dexamethasone courses for BPD require further investigation.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate the effectiveness of repeat dexamethasone courses in managing respiratory support for infants with BPD.
  • To assess the adverse effects of one or two dexamethasone courses on infant growth parameters.

Main Methods:

  • A retrospective study analyzed 132 infants treated with one or two courses of dexamethasone for BPD.
  • Effectiveness was defined as successful step-down in respiratory support.
  • Growth trajectories (weight, length, head circumference) were compared to untreated controls.

Main Results:

  • 52% of infants achieved respiratory support step-down with initial dexamethasone versus 38% with repeat courses.
  • No significant differences in weight, length, or head circumference were observed between dexamethasone-treated infants and controls.
  • Growth parameters at discharge were comparable across groups.

Conclusions:

  • Repeat dexamethasone administration for BPD shows diminished effectiveness in weaning respiratory support compared to an initial course.
  • Dexamethasone treatment, even with repeat courses, did not lead to significant adverse effects on infant growth parameters up to discharge.
Abstract

More Related Videos

A Minimally Invasive Method for Intratracheal Instillation of Drugs in Neonatal Rodents to Treat Lung Disease04:21

A Minimally Invasive Method for Intratracheal Instillation of Drugs in Neonatal Rodents to Treat Lung Disease

Published on: August 4, 2021

6.4K
Direct Intrabronchial Administration to Improve the Selective Agent Deposition Within the Mouse Lung07:10

Direct Intrabronchial Administration to Improve the Selective Agent Deposition Within the Mouse Lung

Published on: May 20, 2019

14.0K

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
Antiasthma Drugs: Methylxanthines01:24

Antiasthma Drugs: Methylxanthines

Theophylline, a member of the methylxanthine class of bronchodilators, has long been used in asthma management. While its exact mechanism of action is not fully understood, it is believed to have multiple effects on various cellular processes.
Theophylline is thought to inhibit phosphodiesterase enzymes, increasing intracellular levels of cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) and cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP). This rise in cAMP and cGMP concentrations stimulates cardiac function,...
1.3K
Pharmacokinetics in Pediatric Patients: Drug Excretion01:26

Pharmacokinetics in Pediatric Patients: Drug Excretion

In pediatric medicine, understanding the renal function and drug elimination nuances is crucial for administering safe and effective treatments. Newborns, in particular, display markedly slower renal functions than adults, profoundly affecting how drugs are cleared from their bodies. This slower drug clearance requires clinicians to extend the dosing intervals for many medications to prevent drug accumulation and toxicity while ensuring therapeutic efficacy.One key area where these adjustments...
55
Pneumothorax-II01:27

Pneumothorax-II

Pneumothorax is a medical condition defined by the buildup of air in the pleural space between the lungs and the chest wall. This accumulation of air can lead to partial or complete lung collapse, resulting in a range of clinical manifestations. Understanding the clinical presentation and effective management strategies is crucial for healthcare professionals in providing timely and appropriate care to individuals with pneumothorax.
Clinical Manifestations:
530
Determination of Multiple Dosing Parameters: Loading and Maintenance Doses01:25

Determination of Multiple Dosing Parameters: Loading and Maintenance Doses

A loading dose is an essential pharmacological strategy to rapidly achieve the target plasma drug concentration necessary for an immediate therapeutic effect. This approach is especially critical for drugs characterized by slow absorption or extended half-lives, where delaying therapeutic plasma levels could compromise treatment outcomes. By administering a loading dose, clinicians ensure a prompt onset of drug action, even for agents with complex pharmacokinetic profiles.Achieving steady-state...
47