Intraventricular Hemorrhage (IVH), Intraventricular Hemorrhage Neonatal, Maternal Infection During Pregnancy, Necrotizing Enterocolitis (NEC), Neonatal Hypoglycemia, Neonatal Respiratory Distress Syndrome, Neonatal Sepsis, Neurodevelopmental Disorder of Foetus, Premature Birth, Respiratory Distress Syndrome (RDS)
Conditions
Keywords
Antenatal Corticosteroids, Prematurity, Dexamethasone, Neonatal Outcome, Maternal Outcome
Brief summary
The goal of this observational study was to compare two doses of dexamethasone given to pregnant women at risk of preterm birth. Dexamethasone is a medicine used before birth to help a baby's lungs mature. This study looked at preterm babies born between 26 and 36 weeks of pregnancy. Researchers compared babies whose mothers received dexamethasone 12 mg every 12 hours for 48 hours with babies whose mothers received dexamethasone 6 mg every 12 hours for 48 hours. The main questions this study aimed to answer were: * Did the higher dose of dexamethasone help preterm babies need breathing support for a shorter time? * Did the higher dose help shorten the babies' stay in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU)? * Was the higher dose as safe as the lower dose for babies and mothers? Researchers reviewed medical records from Stella Maris Women's and Children's Hospital from January 2018 to January 2023. They looked at neonatal outcomes, including breathing support, respiratory distress syndrome, length of NICU stay, low blood sugar in babies, infection in mothers, and developmental problems at 24 months.
Interventions
DRUGDexamethasone 12 mg Every 12 Hours
Pregnant women at risk of preterm birth received antenatal dexamethasone 12 mg every 12 hours for 48 hours for fetal lung maturation. Neonatal outcomes were compared with those of infants whose mothers received the lower-dose dexamethasone regimen.
DRUGDexamethasone 6 mg Every 12 Hours
Pregnant women at risk of preterm birth received antenatal dexamethasone 6 mg every 12 hours for 48 hours for fetal lung maturation. This regimen was compared with dexamethasone 12 mg every 12 hours.
Sponsors
Stella Maris Women and Children Hospital
Universitas Sumatera Utara
Study design
Observational model
COHORT
Time perspective
RETROSPECTIVE
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
26 Weeks to 36 Weeks
Healthy volunteers
No
Inclusion criteria
* Preterm infants born to mothers with gestational age between 26 and 36 weeks * Infants whose mothers received antenatal dexamethasone for fetal lung maturation * Infants with complete medical records * Singleton or multiple gestations, including twins, triplets, or quadruplets
Exclusion criteria
* Stillbirths * Term infants * Preterm infants with known congenital anomalies * Preterm infants with known chromosomal abnormalities * Cases with preterm premature rupture of membranes
Design outcomes
Primary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Duration of Mechanical Ventilation Support | From initiation of mechanical ventilation until discontinuation of mechanical ventilation, assessed up to NICU discharge or 12 weeks after birth, whichever occurred first | Number of days preterm infants required mechanical ventilation support after birth. This outcome was compared between infants whose mothers received dexamethasone 12 mg every 12 hours and infants whose mothers received dexamethasone 6 mg every 12 hours. |
Secondary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Length of Stay in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (LOS-NICU) | From NICU admission until NICU discharge, assessed up to 12 weeks after birth | Number of days the infant stayed in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, also called the NICU. |
| Need for Respiratory Support | From birth until NICU discharge, assessed up to 12 weeks after birth | Number of infants who required respiratory support after birth, including mechanical ventilation, continuous positive airway pressure, or nasal cannula. |
| Neonatal Respiratory Distress Syndrome | From birth until NICU discharge, assessed up to 12 weeks after birth | Number of infants diagnosed with neonatal respiratory distress syndrome after birth. |
| Neonatal Sepsis | From birth until NICU discharge, assessed up to 12 weeks after birth | Number of infants diagnosed with neonatal sepsis. |
| Necrotizing Enterocolitis | From birth until NICU discharge, assessed up to 12 weeks after birth | Number of infants diagnosed with necrotizing enterocolitis. |
| Neonatal Intraventricular Hemorrhage | From birth until NICU discharge, assessed up to 12 weeks after birth | Number of infants diagnosed with intraventricular hemorrhage. |
| Neonatal Hypoglycemia | From birth until NICU discharge, assessed up to 12 weeks after birth | Number of infants diagnosed with low blood sugar after birth. |
| Neurodevelopmental Disorders at 24 Months | At 24 months of age after birth | Number of infants with neurodevelopmental disorders identified at 24 months of age. |
| Maternal Infection | From first dose of antenatal dexamethasone until maternal hospital discharge, assessed up to 7 days after delivery | Number of mothers diagnosed with infection after receiving antenatal dexamethasone. |
Countries
Indonesia
Outcome results
None listed