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  • Title: Follow-up of a randomized, placebo-controlled trial of postnatal dexamethasone: blood pressure and anthropometric measurements at school age.
    Author: Washburn LK, Nixon PA, O'Shea TM.
    Journal: Pediatrics; 2006 Oct; 118(4):1592-9. PubMed ID: 17015551.
    Abstract:
    OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this work was to evaluate the effects of a 42-day tapering course of dexamethasone on blood pressure and anthropometric measurements in school-age children who were born with very low birth weight. METHODS: Sixty-eight children, who as neonates participated in a randomized placebo-controlled trial of a 42-day tapering course of dexamethasone (n = 38, dexamethasone; n = 30, placebo) to facilitate weaning from the ventilator, were seen at a median of 9 years of age. Participants underwent measurements of systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, mid-arm circumference, triceps skinfold thickness, height, and weight. Mann-Whitney U tests were used to compare groups, and Spearman coefficients were used to examine correlations between variables. RESULTS: Comparing dexamethasone- and placebo-treated children, we found no differences in systolic blood pressure, mid-arm circumference, triceps skinfold thickness, height, weight, or body mass index. Twenty-nine percent of all subjects had systolic blood pressure and/or diastolic blood pressure > or = 90th percentile for age and gender. Thirty percent of all subjects had body mass index > or = 85th percentile for age and gender. CONCLUSIONS: In a group of preterm very low birth-weight infants at high risk for chronic lung disease, we found no effects of dexamethasone on blood pressure or anthropometric measurements at 8 to 11 years of age. Of concern is that a high proportion in this sample had blood pressure > or = 90th percentile and/or body mass index > or = 85th percentile.
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