SYSTEMATIC REVIEW AND METAANALYSIS OF EARLY POSTNATAL DEXAMETHASONE FOR PREVENTION OF CHRONIC LUNG-DISEASE

Aim-To review systematically the evidence to determine whether dexamet hasone treatment of very low birthweight infants begun within 14 days of age prevents chronic lung disease (CLD) without clinically signific ant side effects. Methods-Randomised controlled trials dexamethasone s tarted within this time frame were identified through a search of elec tronic databases, proceedings of scientific meetings, and personal fil es. Meta-analyses using event rate ratio (ERR), event rate difference (ERD), and if significant, numbers needed to treat (NNT) for benefits and numbers needed to harm (NNH) for adverse effects were calculated. Weighted mean difference were used for continuous variables. Three pre specified subgroup analyses were performed for; (i) dexamethasone begu n within 36 hours (hours) of birth; (ii) dexamethasone initiated betwe en 7-14 days of age; or (iii) if surfactant treatment was used. Result s-Ten studies were included in the review; six where dexamethasone was initiated within 36 hours of age, four studies for dexamethasone star ted between 7 and 14 days and six studies using surfactant. Mortality ERR and NNT with 95% confidence intervals for dexamethasone initiated at 7-14 days of age were 0.35 (0.16, 0.74) and 8 (4, 30). ERRs and NNT s for CLD at 28 days and 36 weeks of postmenstrual age were 0.71 (0.61 , 0.84), 8 (5, 17), and 0.57 (0.44, 0.76), 10 (6, 23) in the overall a nalyses. When dexamethasone was started at 7 to 14 days of age ERR and NNT for CLD at 36 weeks were 0.63 (0.47, 0.85) and 3 (2, 9). Clinical ly significant side effects included increased risk of hypertension, h yperglycaemia, and increased time to regain birthweight. Conclusions-T hese meta-analyses show a significant reduction in risk of CLD at 28 d ays and 36 weeks of postmenstrual age. In the subgroup where dexametha sone was started between 7 and 14 days of age mortality was significan tly reduced. Caution is warranted in the routine use of dexamethasone because of lack of data on long term neurodevelopmental outcomes.