Postnatal betamethasone treatment in extremely preterm infants and risk of neurodevelopmental impairment: a cohort study.

ABSTRACT:

Objective

To evaluate if postnatal treatment with betamethasone in extremely preterm infants was associated with neurodevelopmental impairment (NDI) at 6.5 years of age.

Design

Prospective cohort study.

Setting

Extremely Preterm Infants in Sweden Study (gestational age <27 weeks, born 2004-2007).

Patients

428 children born extremely preterm were assessed at 6.5 years of age, 115 treated with betamethasone and 313 not treated.

Main outcome measures

NDI at 6.5 years of age. Evaluation at 6.5 years included cognitive testing with the Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children-Fourth Edition (WISC-IV), neurological examination and a medical record review.

Exposure

Treatment with postnatal betamethasone.

Main outcome

Moderate to severe NDI at 6.5

SUBMITTER: Lofberg L 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12229056 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Jun

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature