The effectiveness and side effects of dexamethasone in preterm infants with bronchopulmonary dysplasia.

The incidence of bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) among ventilated infants is estimated to be between 4 and 40% depending on gestation but undoubtedly the highest incidence, in excess of 70%, occurs in infants weighing 1000 g or less at birth.' The incidence of BPD may further increase in the coming decade as advances in neonatal intensive care enable clinicians to save even smaller, lower gestation, and more critically ill infants. BPD is already a major cause of mortality and long term morbidity. A significant proportion of infants will be oxygen dependent for a prolonged period of time. Growth delay and neurodevelopmental deficit have also been reported with increasing frequency.' Thus, effective therapeutic measures are urgently required. Dexamethasone, a potent, long acting steroid with almost exclusive glucocorticoid property, was intensively studied and appeared promising in improving pulmonary function. This article examines the efficacy and adverse effects of dexamethasone treatment in preterm infants with BPD.