GROWTH-RETARDATION AFTER DEXAMETHASONE ADMINISTRATION - ASSESSMENT BYKNEMOMETRY

Knemometry has been used to measure lower leg growth during 32 nine da y courses of dexamethasone in 26 babies ranging from 24 to 32 weeks' g estation at birth. Mean leg length velocity was 0.37 mm/day in the 10 days before steroids. Administration of dexamethasone was associated w ith a decrease in velocity in all babies, and in 15 leg shortening was documented. Mean leg length velocity during steroid treatment was -0. 003 mm/day. After the course of dexamethasone was completed there was an immediate increase in leg length velocity to a mean of 0.52 mm/day over the first 10 days then falling to a value similar to the growth v elocity observed before treatment. Leg length had reached the value pr edicted by growth before steroids about 30 days after dexamethasone. T he reduction in leg length velocity occurred despite a significant inc rease in energy intake and decrease in oxygen requirements.