Hydrocortisone to Improve Survival Without Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia

(N Engl J Med. 2022;386:1121–1131) The diagnosis of bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) in extremely preterm infants portends potentially abnormal growth, neurodevelopment, and respiratory function. This prevalent condition affects half extreme birth survivors likely has a multiplicity causes: prematurity, oxygen exposure, mechanical ventilation, inflammatory processes. Dexamethasone was previously widely used until adverse neurological effects including cerebral palsy cognitive impairment became apparent the patient population later life. Despite these complications, many premature continue to receive dexamethasone therapy for BPD. Hydrocortisone, another steroid, when administered neonates produced advantageous characteristics shown promising test results who are developing Administration hydrocortisone showed mitigating on neonatal inflammation decreased neurodevelopmental effects. extended trial, beginning 2011, investigates efficacy high-dose treatment at improving life expectancy without BPD by monitoring severe disorder through 22 26 months.