Perinatal corticosteroids: a review of the research. Part II: Postnatal administration.

Postnatal corticosteroids are often administered during the neonatal intensive care unit stay to reduce the risk and severity of chronic lung disease (CLD) in preterm infants. In 2002, the American Academy of Pediatrics Committee on Fetus and Newborn and the Canadian Paediatric Society Fetus and Newborn Committee jointly advised against the routine use of systemic dexatmethasone for the prevention of CLD in very low birth weight infants. The objective of this review is to present evidence-based research and expert opinion to provide the neonatal clinician with current information regarding dexamethasone use with premature infants. This article serves to inform neonatal clinicians about the benefits and potential adverse neurosensory risks of this treatment option.