Neurodevelopmental Follow-Up After Early Low-Dose Hydrocortisone in Extremely Preterm Infants

Low-dose hydrocortisone improves bronchopulmonary dysplasia-free survival in extremely preterm babies, without neurodevelopmental sequelae.

Bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) is the most frequent morbidity of extreme prematurity. The multicenter French PREMILOC trial recently demonstrated that early low-dose hydrocortisone reduced rates of BPD without increasing short-term morbidity or mortality (NEJM JW Pediatr Adolesc Med Mar 8 2016; [e-pub] and Lancet 2016; 387:1827). However, the long-term safety of prophylactic hydrocortisone still needs to be confirmed. In a planned follow-up analysis, researchers assessed neurodevelopmental outcomes at 2 years.

The PREMILOC trial randomized 523 extremely preterm infants (<28 weeks' gestation) in the first 24 hours of life to placebo or 1 mg/kg/day of hydrocortisone for 7 days followed by 0.5 mg/kg/day for 3 days. At 36 weeks' postmenstrual …

Reviewing Author

Robin Steinhorn, MD

Disclosures

Consultant/Advisory BoardActelion Pharmaceuticals

Editorial BoardsJournal of Pediatrics

Leadership Positions in Professional SocietiesAmerican Pediatric Society (President); American Board of Pediatrics (Board of Directors)

Robin Steinhorn, MD

Disclosures

Consultant/Advisory BoardActelion Pharmaceuticals

Editorial BoardsJournal of Pediatrics

Leadership Positions in Professional SocietiesAmerican Pediatric Society (President); American Board of Pediatrics (Board of Directors)

Neurodevelopmental Follow-Up After Early Low-Dose Hydrocortisone in Extremely Preterm Infants

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Reviewing Author