Hydrocortisone vs. dexamethasone treatment for bronchopulmonary dysplasia and their effects on general movements in preterm infants

INTRODUCTION: Hydrocortisone (HC) and dexamethasone (DXM) are used to treat preterm infants at risk for bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD). This may, however, affect their long-term neurological development. We aimed to determine the effect of HC and DXM therapy in preterm infants on neurological functioning as assessed by the quality of general movements (GMs) until 3 months after term.

RESULTS: We found no difference in the quality of GMs between HC and DXM infants until term age. At 3 months, HC infants had a higher median motor optimality score (MOS) than DXM infants (25 vs. 21, P = 0.015). In the DXM group, MOS on the first day of treatment was lower than before treatment (10 vs. 11, P = 0.030).

DISCUSSION: MOS decreased in DXM infants on the first day following treatment and at 3 months after term. This was not the case in HC infants. Our study suggests that neurological functioning at 3 months after term is better in infants treated with HC than in infants treated with DXM.

METHODS: We performed a longitudinal, observational study including 56 preterm infants (n = 17 HC, n = 17 DXM, n = 22 controls). GM quality, videoed before and after treatment, was assessed. In addition, a MOS was assigned to details of the GMs.