A study under Australian collaborative trial on steroids use in neonates was done. Which of the following is true –
The Australian Collaborative Trial of Repeat Dose of Steroids (ACTORDS) conducted as multicentre RCT, in Austra­lia and New Zealand by Crowther, v and colleagues enrolled 982 pregnant women less than 32 weeks to receive either single dose of intramuscular Betamethasone or saline placebo weekly till 32 weeks of gestation or delivery whichever was earlier.
This study showed some short-term benefits in the repeat corticosteroid group with a significant reduction in RDS (33% vs. 41%, RR = 0. 82. There was also the shorter duration of mechanical ventilation, lesser need for oxygen therapy and less severe lung disease.
The mean weight, length and head circumference were not different.
However the weight and head circumference Z scores were lower in the repeat steroid dose group. In the long -term follow up these infants at 18-22 months corrected age there was no difference in growth, major disability or lung disease between the two groups. There was an increased occurrence of attention problems in the repeat steroid group.
No difference between placebo & corticosteroid
Corticosteroid to children causes behavioural worsening
Corticosteroid to children causes reduction in head circumference
Corticosteroid to children causes neuro sensitivity degradation