Neurodevelopmental outcome of extremely premature infants exposed to incomplete, no or complete antenatal steroids

AbstractObjective: To compare the neurodevelopmental outcomes at 18–22 months’ corrected age of extremely premature infants exposed to a complete course, an incomplete course or no dose of antenatal steroids (ANS).Methods: Retrospective chart review of extremely premature (<28 weeks gestational age) neonates over a 3-year period. Neurodevelopmental assessment at 18–22 months’ corrected age included a standardized neurologic examination and the Bayley Scales of Infant and Toddler development II or III. Intact survival was defined as survival without cerebral palsy (CP), blindness or deafness and mental developmental index (MDI)/cognitive score ≥85. Neurodevelopmental impairment (NDI) was defined as any of the following: moderate or severe CP, MDI/cognitive score <70, deafness or blindness. Patients were categorized into three groups: (A) no ANS; (B) incomplete course and (C) complete course of ANS.Results: Outcome data were available for 134 (88%) patients of our cohort (n = 153). Severe intraventricular h...