Higher-Dose Dexamethasone Improves Breathing and Shortens NICU Stay in Preterm Babies

Stella Maris Women and Children Hospital200 enrolled

Overview

The goal of this observational study was to compare two doses of dexamethasone given to pregnant women at risk of preterm birth. Dexamethasone is a medicine used before birth to help a baby's lungs mature. This study looked at preterm babies born between 26 and 36 weeks of pregnancy. Researchers compared babies whose mothers received dexamethasone 12 mg every 12 hours for 48 hours with babies whose mothers received dexamethasone 6 mg every 12 hours for 48 hours. The main questions this study aimed to answer were: * Did the higher dose of dexamethasone help preterm babies need breathing support for a shorter time? * Did the higher dose help shorten the babies' stay in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU)? * Was the higher dose as safe as the lower dose for babies and mothers? Researchers reviewed medical records from Stella Maris Women's and Children's Hospital from January 2018 to January 2023. They looked at neonatal outcomes, including breathing support, respiratory distress syndrome, length of NICU stay, low blood sugar in babies, infection in mothers, and developmental problems at 24 months.

Study Type

OBSERVATIONAL

Enrollment

200

Conditions

Premature Birth Neonatal Hypoglycemia Maternal Infection During Pregnancy Neurodevelopmental Disorder of Foetus Respiratory Distress Syndrome (RDS)

Interventions

Dexamethasone 12 mg Every 12 HoursDRUG

Pregnant women at risk of preterm birth received antenatal dexamethasone 12 mg every 12 hours for 48 hours for fetal lung maturation. Neonatal outcomes were compared with those of infants whose mothers received the lower-dose dexamethasone regimen.

Dexamethasone 6 mg Every 12 HoursDRUG

Pregnant women at risk of preterm birth received antenatal dexamethasone 6 mg every 12 hours for 48 hours for fetal lung maturation. This regimen was compared with dexamethasone 12 mg every 12 hours.

Eligibility

Sex: ALLMin age: 26 WeeksMax age: 36 Weeks

Medical Language ↔ Plain English

Inclusion Criteria: * Preterm infants born to mothers with gestational age between 26 and 36 weeks * Infants whose mothers received antenatal dexamethasone for fetal lung maturation * Infants with complete medical records * Singleton or multiple gestations, including twins, triplets, or quadruplets Exclusion Criteria: * Stillbirths * Term infants * Preterm infants with known congenital anomalies * Preterm infants with known chromosomal abnormalities * Cases with preterm premature rupture of membranes

Outcomes

Primary Outcomes

Duration of Mechanical Ventilation Support

Number of days preterm infants required mechanical ventilation support after birth. This outcome was compared between infants whose mothers received dexamethasone 12 mg every 12 hours and infants whose mothers received dexamethasone 6 mg every 12 hours.

Time frame: From initiation of mechanical ventilation until discontinuation of mechanical ventilation, assessed up to NICU discharge or 12 weeks after birth, whichever occurred first

Secondary Outcomes

Length of Stay in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (LOS-NICU)

Number of days the infant stayed in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, also called the NICU.

Time frame: From NICU admission until NICU discharge, assessed up to 12 weeks after birth

Need for Respiratory Support

Number of infants who required respiratory support after birth, including mechanical ventilation, continuous positive airway pressure, or nasal cannula.