Abstract
Patients treated at birth with hydrocortisone for the respiratory distress syndrome(RDS) were reassessed at 5 yrs of age for growth & development,neurologic status,immunologic status & incidence of infection. The pts include 10 who received neonatal steroids,6 placebo plus 4 non-placebo RDS controls. Studies included intelligence & developmental tests,EEG's,Immunoglobulin & complement levels,diphtheria & tetanus titers,T & B cell enumeration,thymosin induction in 3 pts and delayed skin tests. The percentages of T & B cell subclasses are shown in the table.
The steroid group had a marked reduction in T cells associated in some with increased cells with C3 receptors. No significant differences were observed in numbers of cells with Fc receptors or surface immunoglobulin(SmIG) or in other immunologic parameters. There was an increased incidence of bronchopneumonia & otitis in the steroid group. Thymosin incubation led to an 11% increase in T cells in one steroid pt while no increase was seen in 2 RDS controls or adult controls. No significant differences were seen in hgt,wgt or head circumference(25-50%ile) or IQ's which were 108 ± 11 for controls and 102 ± 11 for steroid pts.
The data suggests that followup of infants who receive perinatal steroids should include evaluation of the immune system.
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Reece, E., Gunn, T. & Mctraicos, K. 730 DIMINISHED T CELLS FOLLOWING NEONATAL STEROID THERAPY. Pediatr Res 12 (Suppl 4), 485 (1978). https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-197804001-00735
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-197804001-00735