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Growth retardation after dexamethasone administration: assessment by knemometry
A T Gibson1, R G Pearse, J K Wales
1Jessop Hospital for Women, Sheffield.
Archives of Disease in Childhood
|November 1, 1993
Summary
Dexamethasone treatment significantly slowed lower leg growth in premature infants, causing leg shortening in some. Growth returned to normal after steroid cessation, indicating a temporary effect of dexamethasone on infant growth.
Area of Science:
- Neonatal medicine
- Pediatric endocrinology
- Biomedical engineering
Background:
- Premature infants often require medical interventions, including corticosteroids like dexamethasone.
- Growth and development in premature infants are critical indicators of health outcomes.
- Accurate measurement of growth is essential for monitoring infant well-being.
Purpose of the Study:
- To quantify the effect of dexamethasone on lower leg growth in premature infants using knemometry.
- To assess the duration and recovery of growth changes after dexamethasone treatment.
Main Methods:
- Knemometry was employed to measure lower leg length velocity in 26 premature infants (24-32 weeks gestation).
- Measurements were taken before, during, and after 32 nine-day courses of dexamethasone administration.
- Growth velocity was analyzed in relation to steroid treatment cycles.
Main Results:
- Mean leg length velocity decreased from 0.37 mm/day before steroids to -0.003 mm/day during treatment.
- Fifteen infants experienced leg shortening during dexamethasone administration.
- Leg growth velocity recovered to 0.52 mm/day post-treatment and normalized within 30 days.
Conclusions:
- Dexamethasone administration temporarily inhibits lower leg growth velocity in premature infants.
- Leg length deficits incurred during treatment are reversible after cessation of dexamethasone.
- Growth recovery occurs despite increased energy intake and decreased oxygen requirements during steroid treatment.