Objective:To review the literature systematically to determine whether the use of Dex therapy in the first 15 days of life is beneficial for 12 specified outcomes in premature infants. Methods:A literature search in the English language was undertaken using the MEDLINE database system. Inclusion criteria were a prospective randomized trial design and Dex therapy started in the first 15 days of life. The overall baseline event rate(ER) in the control group and risk ratio (RR) with 95%CI were calculated. Results: Twelve peer-reviewed publications were included in the analysis. Because meta-analyses of pre and post surfactant therapy trials did not show significant differences the data from these trials were combined. Conclusion: CLD is decreased by 35% at 28 days and 52% at 36 weeks post conception (P<0.05). Gastrointestinal bleeding is increased by 114% in the Dex group (P<0.05). The decreases of 19% in death, 27% in PDA and the 22% increase in infection were not statistically significant, nor were any other changes. Table
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(Supported in part by NIH U01 HL49803 and FDA-R-000917)
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Arias-Camison, J., Lau, J., Cole, C. et al. Meta-Analyses of Dexamethasone (Dex) Therapy Started in the First 15 Days of Life for Prevention of Chronic Lung Disease (CLD) in Premature Infants. 951. Pediatr Res 43 (Suppl 4), 164 (1998). https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-199804001-00972
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-199804001-00972