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Published on: November 20, 2015
Neurological outcomes of antenatal corticosteroid therapy
Ivana R Babovic1,2, Jelena R Dotlic1,2, Miljana Z Jovandaric3
1Medical Faculty, University of Belgrade, Belgrade, Serbia.
Insights
Antenatal corticosteroid therapy (ACST) improved muscular tone in premature infants. This therapy was linked to better neurological outcomes, though delivery timing and complications can influence results.
Area of Science:
- Neonatal Medicine
- Developmental Pediatrics
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Premature birth poses risks to infant neurological development.
- Assessing neurological condition via muscular tone is crucial for early intervention.
- Antenatal corticosteroid therapy (ACST) is used to mature fetal lungs but its impact on neurological status requires further investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine if antenatal corticosteroid therapy (ACST) affects the neurological condition, specifically muscular tone, in prematurely born infants.
- To evaluate the association between ACST and neurological development markers in preterm neonates.
Main Methods:
- A cohort of 82 infants at risk of preterm delivery were divided into ACST-treated and control groups.
- Infant outcomes including pregnancy complications, biophysical profile, Apgar score, and gestational age were recorded.
- Muscular tone was assessed using Vojta's method at 1, 3, 6, and 12 months postpartum.
Main Results:
- Infants receiving ACST showed significant improvements in muscular tone compared to the control group.
- ACST influenced neurological outcomes, with positive effects on muscular tone observed.
- Delivery week and complications like diabetes mellitus and intrauterine growth restriction modified the ACST-neuromuscular tone association.
Conclusions:
- Antenatal corticosteroid therapy (ACST) is associated with enhanced muscular tone and positive neurological outcomes in prematurely born infants.
- ACST demonstrates a beneficial role in the neurological development of preterm neonates.
- Further research is warranted to explore the modulating factors affecting ACST's impact on infant neurological status.
Aim Of The Study:
The aim of the study was to investigate whether antenatal corticosteroid therapy (ACST) could impact neurological condition, as assessed through muscular tone, of prematurely born infants.
Methods:
All 82 patients at risk of preterm delivery treated and delivered over 12 months were divided into two equal groups regarding the use of ACST. The investigated parameters were pregnancy complications, biophysical profile, Apgar score, gestational age of delivery and all postpartum complications. Neurological development and muscular tone were evaluated at the 1st, 3rd, 6th and 12th months of life using Vojta's method, which classifies muscular tone as good, hypotonic or hypertonic.
Results:
After therapy, infants from the treated and control groups differed in biophysical profile, Apgar score, length of intensive care, occurrence of respiratory distress syndrome and intraventricular haemorrhage. During the follow-up, significantly more infants from the ACST group had good muscular tone when compared with those from the control group. Regression analysis showed that ASCT can significantly impact an infant's muscular tone. Still, the week of delivery and the complications such as diabetes mellitus, intrauterine growth restriction and respiratory distress syndrome, could change the association of ACST and infants' muscular tone.
Conclusion:
ACST was associated with the positive neurological outcomes of prematurely born infants when assessed through their muscular tone.
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