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Impact of corticosteroid exposure on preterm labor in neonates eventually born at term

Journal of Perinatology volume 44, pages 195–202 (2024)Cite this article

Subjects

Abstract

Objective

To evaluate the impact of antenatal corticosteroid therapy (ACS) on birth outcomes in term infants exposed during pregnancy.

Study design

Exposed newborns were compared with non-exposed controls in a 1 to 2 design. Multivariate analysis was used to assess the effect of ACS exposure on neonatal outcomes.

Result

408 newborns were included (136 exposed to ACS, 272 non-exposed). Mean ± SD head circumference (HC) was 33.7 ± 1.4 vs 34.3 ± 1.6 cm, p = 0.001 in exposed vs controls; birth weight was 3.1 ± 0.4 vs 3.3 ± 0.4 kg, p = 0.0001; and birth height was 47.9 ± 2.1 vs. 49.1 ± 2.0 cm, p < 0.0001. Hypocalcemia (4.4 vs 0.7%, p = 0.019) and feeding difficulties (5.1 vs 1.5%, p = 0.047) were significantly more common in exposed newborns. Multivariate analysis for HC showed a significant independent association with ACS exposure (β = −0.5, p = 0.009).

Conclusion

Term newborns exposed to ACS have lower birth HC and higher risk of neonatal complications.

Clinical trial registration

NCT05640596.

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Fig. 1: Distribution of Head circumference (cm and percentile), weight (kg et percentile) and hieght (cm and percentile) at birth.

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Data availability

The datasets generated during and/or analysed during the current study are available from the corresponding author on reasonable request.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Pediatric Endocrinology—Pediatric Department, Children’s Hospital, University Hospital of Nancy, Vandœuvre-Les-Nancy, France

    Céline Best & Emeline Renard

  2. Department of Neonatology, CHRU of Nancy; DevAH, Lorraine University, Vandœuvre-Les-Nancy, France

    Jean-Michel Hascoet

  3. DRCI, MPI Department, Methodology, Data Management and Statistics Unit, University Hospital of Nancy, Vandœuvre-Les-Nancy, France

    Elodie Jeanbert & Cédric Baumann

  4. Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Maternity Hospital CHRU of Nancy, Lorraine University, Vandœuvre-Les-Nancy, France

    Olivier Morel

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CB: designed and conceptualized study; analyzed the data; drafted the manuscript for intellectual content. J-MH: Designed and conceptualized study, revised the manuscript for intellectual content. EJ: designed and conceptualized study, performed the statistical analysis, analyzed the data and revised the manuscript. OM: Designed and conceptualized study, revised the manuscript for intellectual content. CB: designed and conceptualized study, performed the statistical analysis and revised the manuscript. ER: designed and conceptualized study; analyzed the data; drafted the manuscript for intellectual content and revised the manuscript

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Correspondence to Emeline Renard.

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Best, C., Hascoet, JM., Jeanbert, E. et al. Impact of corticosteroid exposure on preterm labor in neonates eventually born at term. J Perinatol 44, 195–202 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41372-023-01831-0

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