Effects on infant growth and neurodevelopment of repeat dose prenatal corticosteroids to women at risk of preterm birth : a randomised controlled trial

Abstract

This thesis aimed to examine the effects of repeat prenatal corticosteroids on infant growth and neurodevelopment. Women at risk of preterm birth more than seven days after a single course of prenatal corticosteroids were randomised to receive weekly repeat dose corticosteroids or placebo, if still at risk, until 32 weeks gestation. It was found that repeat prenatal corticosteroids reduce weight, length and knee-ankle length at birth, although only infant weight remained reduced at 71/4 months corrected age (CA). No adverse effects on infant neurodevelopment were seen for repeat corticosteroid treated infants, apart from a reduction in personal-social development at eight months CA.