After Scrutiny, Preemie Lung Treatments Turn Out To Be Safe, Effective
http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/medicalnews.php?newsid=64512
In the past, it was believed that the treatment using steroids (repeated courses of steroids in the womb) on preemies between 28 and 32 weeks to help lungs mature before birth was harmful to the babies' brain; however, this is no longer the case. Prior to the concerns reguarding the safety of this treatment, many mothers in on-and-off preterm labor received several rounds of steroids before delivering. This method of treatment has been abandondoned due to this belief, but new studies show that the babies' brains are virtually unaffected. Because the use of steroids has been limited to one course, more babies are being born in need of ventilation. Now, mothers in preterm labor will only receive a single course of steroids to help strengthen the baby's lungs upon birth. This new discovery reguarding the safety of the use of steroids is important because one of the biggest challenges for babies born preterm is breathing on their own.
Previous studies showed neurological complications from multiple courses of dexamethasone, a steroid prepared with sulfur. However, the steroids now commonly used are sulfur-free. This new study was based on infants who received betamethasone, a sulfur-free steroid, prior to birth, and they did not show the same adverse effects as previous studies from when sulfur containg steroids were used. The only medical difference between those infants who received one course and those who received more was that the ones who received more were less likely to need mechanical ventilation the day they were born.
In the past, it was believed that the treatment using steroids (repeated courses of steroids in the womb) on preemies between 28 and 32 weeks to help lungs mature before birth was harmful to the babies' brain; however, this is no longer the case. Prior to the concerns reguarding the safety of this treatment, many mothers in on-and-off preterm labor received several rounds of steroids before delivering. This method of treatment has been abandondoned due to this belief, but new studies show that the babies' brains are virtually unaffected. Because the use of steroids has been limited to one course, more babies are being born in need of ventilation. Now, mothers in preterm labor will only receive a single course of steroids to help strengthen the baby's lungs upon birth. This new discovery reguarding the safety of the use of steroids is important because one of the biggest challenges for babies born preterm is breathing on their own.
Previous studies showed neurological complications from multiple courses of dexamethasone, a steroid prepared with sulfur. However, the steroids now commonly used are sulfur-free. This new study was based on infants who received betamethasone, a sulfur-free steroid, prior to birth, and they did not show the same adverse effects as previous studies from when sulfur containg steroids were used. The only medical difference between those infants who received one course and those who received more was that the ones who received more were less likely to need mechanical ventilation the day they were born.
posted by JulieAnnJohnson at 4:36 PM
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