THE EFFECT OF EARLY DEXAMETHASONE ADMINISTRATION ON BRONCHOPULMONARY DYSPLASIA IN PRETERM INFANTS WITH RESPIRATORY-DISTRESS SYNDROME

Objectives: This study was carried to evaluate the effect of early adm inistration of dexamethasone on the incidence of bronchopulmonary dysp lasia (BPD) and/or death in surfactant-treated preterm infants with re spiratory distress syndrome (RDS. Study design: In a multicenter, doub le-blind, placebo-controlled trial, 109 preterm infants with RDS and b irth weights between 700 and 1600 gm, who were treated with mechanical ventilation and surfactant, were randomly assigned before 36 hours of life to receive dexamethasone (n = 55) or placebo (n = 54) for 12 day s. Results: There were no differences in tile incidence of BPD and/or death between groups. However fewer patients in the dexamethasone grou p were oxygen-dependent at 36 weeks after conception (8% vs 33%, p < 0 .05), The dexamethasone group had a lower incidence of necrotizing ent erocolitis (0% vs 9% p < 0.05), The incidence of arterial hypertension , hyperglycemia, and sepsis was not affected by the treatment. Basal a nd poststimulation serum cortisol levels did not differ between groups , Conclusion: The administration of dexamethasone ear is in the course of RDS does not decrease the incidence of BPD and/or death in preterm infants, However, dexamethasone may reduce oxy gen dependency at 36 w eeks after conception.