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Multiple Courses of Antenatal Corticosteroids for Preterm Birth Study (MACS)

Multiple Courses of Antenatal Corticosteroids for Preterm Birth Study (MACS)

Status
Completed
Phases
Phase 4
Study type
Interventional
Source
ClinicalTrials.gov
Registry ID
NCT00187382
Enrollment
1858
Registered
2005-09-16
Start date
2001-04-30
Completion date
2011-12-31
Last updated
2010-06-15

For informational purposes only — not medical advice. Sourced from public registries and may not reflect the latest updates. Terms

Conditions

Pregnancies at Increased Risk of Preterm Birth

Keywords

antenatal corticosteroids, preterm birth, multiple versus single doses, follow-up

Brief summary

In women at 26 to 30 weeks gestation and who are risk for threatened early birth, who have not had their baby by 14 or more days after being given a single course of antenatal corticosteroids (ACS), do repeated courses of ACS every 14 days until 33 weeks' gestational age lower the risk of illness or death in babies compared to repeated courses of placebo. Children are assessed at 2 years and 5 years for neurodevelopmental impairment.

Detailed description

In women at 26 to 30 weeks gestation, who are at increased risk for preterm birth and remain undelivered 14 or more days following a single course of antenatal corticosteroids (ACS), are multiple course of ACS every 14 days until 33 weeks effective in reducing the risk of perinatal or neonatal mortality or significant neonatal morbidity, compared to placebo. 18-24 Month Follow-up: Children (18-24 months corrected gestational age) are assessed with the Bayley Scales of Infant Development (Second Edition) to determine neurodevelopmental impairment. 5 Year Follow-up (MACS-5): Children are assessed using the Child Behaviour Checklist (1 1/2 - 5) and the Behaviour Rating Inventory of Executive Function (Preschool version) to determine neurocognitive function.

Interventions

DRUGMultiple vs. single courses of antenatalcorticosteroids

Sponsors

Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre
Lead SponsorOTHER

Study design

Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
PARALLEL
Primary purpose
PREVENTION
Masking
QUADRUPLE (Subject, Caregiver, Investigator, Outcomes Assessor)

Eligibility

Sex/Gender
FEMALE
Age
14 Years to 45 Years
Healthy volunteers
No

Inclusion criteria

* Women who have previously received one completed course of ACS, at least 14 days ago and continue to be at increased risk of preterm birth * Gestational age greater ≥ 26 weeks and gestational age \< 31 weeks

Exclusion criteria

* Women requiring chronic doses of corticosteroids secondary to medical conditions * Women with a contraindication to corticosteroids * Women with clinical evidence of chorioamnionitis (temperature ≥ 38°c) * Known lethal congenital anomaly (e.g. anencephaly)

Design outcomes

Primary

MeasureTime frame
MACS: Perinatal or neonatal mortality or serious neonatal morbidity
MACS-5: Mortality or survival with severe neuro-morbidities at 5 years of age

Secondary

MeasureTime frame
MACS: Death or neurologic impairment at 2 years of age
MACS-5: Measures of growth and blood pressure assessed by clinical exam
MACS-5: At Canadian sites, abnormalities in intelligence and specific cognitive skills (WPPSI-III, Beery: VMI and PPVT-III)

Countries

Canada

Outcome results

None listed

Source: ClinicalTrials.gov · Data processed: Mar 26, 2026