Gayatri Athalye-Jape, Meera Esvaran, Sanjay Patole, Elizabeth A Nathan, Dorota A Doherty, Edric Sim, Lakshmi Chandrasekaran, Chooi Kok, Stephan Schuster, Patricia Conway
{"title":"Effects of a live versus heat-inactivated probiotic <i>Bifidobacterium</i> spp in preterm infants: a randomised clinical trial.","authors":"Gayatri Athalye-Jape, Meera Esvaran, Sanjay Patole, Elizabeth A Nathan, Dorota A Doherty, Edric Sim, Lakshmi Chandrasekaran, Chooi Kok, Stephan Schuster, Patricia Conway","doi":"10.1136/archdischild-2023-326667","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1136/archdischild-2023-326667","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Heat-inactivated probiotics (HPs) may provide an effective alternative to live probiotics (P) by avoiding their risks (eg, probiotic sepsis) while retaining the benefits. We assessed the safety and efficacy of a HP in very preterm (VP: gestation <32 weeks) infants.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>VP infants were randomly allocated to receive a HP or P mixture (<i>Bifidobacterium breve</i> M-16V, <i>Bifidobacterium longum</i> subsp. <i>infantis</i> M-63, <i>Bifidobacterium longum</i> subsp. <i>longum</i> BB536, total 3×10<sup>9 </sup>CFU/day) assuring blinding. Primary outcome was faecal calprotectin (FCP) levels were compared after 3 weeks of supplementation. Secondary outcomes included faecal microbiota and short chain fatty acid (SCFA) levels.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>86 VP infants were randomised to HP or P group (n=43 each). Total FCP and SCFA were comparable between HP and P groups within 7 days (T1) and between day 21 and 28 (T2) after supplementation. At T2, median (range) FCP was 75 (8-563) in the HP group and 80 (21-277) in the P group (p=0.71). Propionate was significantly raised in both groups, while butyrate was significantly raised in the HP group (all p<0.01). Bacterial richness and diversity increased but was comparable between HP and P (p>0.05). Beta diversity showed similar community structures in both groups (all p>0.05). Changes in faecal Actinobacteria, Bacteroidetes and Bifidobacteriacae levels were comparable in both groups at T1 and T2. There was no probiotic sepsis.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>HP was safe and showed no significant difference in FCP as compared with a live probiotic. Adequately powered trials are needed to assess the effects of HP on clinically significant outcomes in preterm infants.</p><p><strong>Trial registration number: </strong>ACTRN12618000489291.</p>","PeriodicalId":8177,"journal":{"name":"Archives of Disease in Childhood - Fetal and Neonatal Edition","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":3.9,"publicationDate":"2024-08-17","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141995131","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Fantoms.","authors":"Ben J Stenson","doi":"10.1136/archdischild-2024-327806","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1136/archdischild-2024-327806","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":8177,"journal":{"name":"Archives of Disease in Childhood - Fetal and Neonatal Edition","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":3.9,"publicationDate":"2024-08-16","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141995134","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Data collection in neonatal retrieval medicine: a platform for research and improvement.","authors":"Jonathan W Davis, Michael Stewart","doi":"10.1136/archdischild-2023-326663","DOIUrl":"10.1136/archdischild-2023-326663","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":8177,"journal":{"name":"Archives of Disease in Childhood - Fetal and Neonatal Edition","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":3.9,"publicationDate":"2024-08-16","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141079676","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Michael-Andrew Assaad, Laurence Gariepy-Assal, Ahmed Moussa
{"title":"Does ECG monitoring affect resuscitation for neonates with pulseless electrical activity in the delivery room? A simulated, pilot, crossover randomised trial.","authors":"Michael-Andrew Assaad, Laurence Gariepy-Assal, Ahmed Moussa","doi":"10.1136/archdischild-2023-326099","DOIUrl":"10.1136/archdischild-2023-326099","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Objective: </strong>To evaluate whether ECG monitoring impacts resuscitative steps during simulated neonatal resuscitation in the setting of pulseless electrical activity (PEA) in the delivery room.</p><p><strong>Design: </strong>This pilot, crossover randomised controlled trial recruited providers in teams of three who participated in two simulation scenarios (PEA with and without ECG monitoring). Teams were randomised to one scenario and then crossed over. All sessions were video-recorded. The primary outcome was time to pulse check once the manikin was programmed to become pulseless. The secondary outcomes were total pulse checks, time to positive pressure ventilation, intubation, chest compressions and administration of epinephrine, and teams' quotes and behaviours during resuscitation. The primary outcome was analysed using Kaplan-Meier survival curve. The secondary outcomes were compared with Wilcoxon signed-rank test. The quotes were analysed using content analysis with pattern coding.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Eighty-two healthcare providers were approached and 30 consented (10 teams). The mean time to check the pulse once the manikin was pulseless was 38.5 s (SD 30.1) without ECG vs 88.1 s (SD 46.1) with ECG (p<0.01). There was a significantly decreased number of pulse checks with the ECG compared with without (p<0.01). Time to intubation, chest compressions, start of positive pressure ventilation and epinephrine administration was not different between the groups. Quotes/behaviours revealed false reassurance and over-reliance on ECG monitoring, repeated pulse check errors and troubleshooting behaviours.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>ECG monitoring in simulated neonatal resuscitation results in delayed recognition of a pulseless state, decreased number of pulse checks and a possible false sense of security. Simulated resuscitation clinical endpoints are unaffected.</p>","PeriodicalId":8177,"journal":{"name":"Archives of Disease in Childhood - Fetal and Neonatal Edition","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":3.9,"publicationDate":"2024-08-16","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"139490661","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Charline Loth, Ludovic Treluyer, Véronique Pierrat, Anne Ego, Adrien M Aubert, Thierry Debillon, Jennifer Zeitlin, Heloise Torchin, Marie Chevallier
{"title":"Variations in neonatal mortality of preterm infants with intraparenchymal haemorrhage in Europe: the EPICE cohort.","authors":"Charline Loth, Ludovic Treluyer, Véronique Pierrat, Anne Ego, Adrien M Aubert, Thierry Debillon, Jennifer Zeitlin, Heloise Torchin, Marie Chevallier","doi":"10.1136/archdischild-2023-326038","DOIUrl":"10.1136/archdischild-2023-326038","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Objective: </strong>The aim of this study was to investigate variations in mortality before neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) discharge of infants born preterm with intraparenchymal haemorrhage (IPH) in Europe with a special interest for withdrawing life-sustaining therapy (WLST).</p><p><strong>Design: </strong>Secondary analysis of the Effective Perinatal Intensive Care in Europe (EPICE) cohort, 2011-2012.</p><p><strong>Setting: </strong>Nineteen regions in 11 European countries.</p><p><strong>Patients: </strong>All infants born between 24<sup>+0</sup> and 31<sup>+6</sup> weeks' gestational age (GA) with a diagnosis of IPH.</p><p><strong>Main outcome measures: </strong>Mortality rate with multivariable analysis after adjustment for GA, antenatal steroids and gender. WLST policies were described among NICUs and within countries.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Among 6828 infants born alive between 24<sup>+0</sup> and 31<sup>+6</sup> weeks' GA and without congenital anomalies admitted to NICUs, IPH was diagnosed in 234 infants (3.4%, 95% CI 3.3% to 3.9%) and 138 of them (59%) died. The median age at death was 6 days (3-13). Mortality rates varied significantly between countries (extremes: 30%-81%; p<0.004) and most infants (69%) died after WLST. After adjustment and with reference to the UK, mortality rates were significantly higher for France, Denmark and the Netherlands, with ORs of 8.8 (95% CI 3.3 to 23.6), 5.9 (95% CI 1.6 to 21.4) and 4.8 (95% CI 1.1 to 8.9). There were variations in WLST between European regions and countries.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>In infants with IPH, rates of death before discharge and death after WLST varied between European countries. These variations in mortality impede studying reliable outcomes in infants with IPH across European countries and encourage reflection of clinical practices of WLST across European units.</p>","PeriodicalId":8177,"journal":{"name":"Archives of Disease in Childhood - Fetal and Neonatal Edition","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":3.9,"publicationDate":"2024-08-16","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"139563151","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
India Rm Marks, Lex W Doyle, Rheanna M Mainzer, Alicia J Spittle, Marissa Clark, Rosemarie A Boland, Peter J Anderson, Jeanie Ly Cheong
{"title":"Neurosensory, cognitive and academic outcomes at 8 years in children born 22-23 weeks' gestation compared with more mature births.","authors":"India Rm Marks, Lex W Doyle, Rheanna M Mainzer, Alicia J Spittle, Marissa Clark, Rosemarie A Boland, Peter J Anderson, Jeanie Ly Cheong","doi":"10.1136/archdischild-2023-326277","DOIUrl":"10.1136/archdischild-2023-326277","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Despite providing intensive care to more infants born <24 weeks' gestation, data on school-age outcomes, critical for counselling and decision-making, are sparse.</p><p><strong>Objective: </strong>To compare major neurosensory, cognitive and academic impairment among school-aged children born extremely preterm at 22-23 weeks' gestation (EP22-23) with those born 24-25 weeks (EP24-25), 26-27 weeks (EP26-27) and term (≥37 weeks).</p><p><strong>Design: </strong>Three prospective longitudinal cohorts.</p><p><strong>Setting: </strong>Victoria, Australia.</p><p><strong>Participants: </strong>All EP live births (22-27 weeks) and term-born controls born in 1991-1992, 1997 and 2005.</p><p><strong>Main outcome measures: </strong>At 8 years, major neurosensory disability (any of moderate/severe cerebral palsy, IQ <-2 SD relative to controls, blindness or deafness), motor, cognitive and academic impairment, executive dysfunction and poor health utility. Risk ratios (RRs) and risk differences between EP22-23 (reference) and other gestational age groups were estimated using generalised linear models, adjusted for era of birth, social risk and multiple birth.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>The risk of major neurosensory disability was higher for EP22-23 (n=21) than more mature groups (168 EP24-25; 312 EP26-27; 576 term), with increasing magnitude of difference as the gestation increased (adjusted RR (95% CI) compared with EP24-25: 1.39 (0.70 to 2.76), p=0.35; EP26-27: 1.85 (0.95 to 3.61), p=0.07; term: 13.9 (5.75 to 33.7), p<0.001). Similar trends were seen with other outcomes. Two-thirds of EP22-23 survivors were free of major neurosensory disability.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>Although children born EP22-23 experienced higher rates of disability and impairment at 8 years than children born more maturely, many were free of major neurosensory disability. These data support providing active care to infants born EP22-23.</p>","PeriodicalId":8177,"journal":{"name":"Archives of Disease in Childhood - Fetal and Neonatal Edition","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":3.9,"publicationDate":"2024-08-16","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"139939403","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
René Liang Shen, Christian Ritz, Yanqi Li, Per Torp Sangild, Ping-Ping Jiang
{"title":"Early parenteral nutrition is associated with improved growth in very low birth weight infants: a retrospective study.","authors":"René Liang Shen, Christian Ritz, Yanqi Li, Per Torp Sangild, Ping-Ping Jiang","doi":"10.1136/archdischild-2023-325829","DOIUrl":"10.1136/archdischild-2023-325829","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Objective: </strong>To assess the association between early initiation of parenteral nutrition (PN) and body growth in preterm infants with very low birth weight (VLBW).</p><p><strong>Design: </strong>Causal inference analysis with confounders preselected by causal diagram based on the NeoNutriNet cohort containing data of infants born between 2011 and 2014 from 13 hospitals from 5 continents.</p><p><strong>Patients: </strong>Neonates with birth weight ≤1500 g.</p><p><strong>Interventions: </strong>PN initiated within the first day of life (early PN) versus within day 2-5 (delayed PN).</p><p><strong>Main outcome measures: </strong>The primary outcome was body weight z-scores at postmenstrual age (PMA) 36 weeks or early discharge or death, whichever comes first (WT z-score END). Secondary outcomes included WT z-scores at week 1 and 4 of life (WT z-scores CA1 and CA4), corresponding growth velocities (GVs), mortality and incidence of necrotising enterocolitis (NEC), and duration and episodes of antibiotic treatment.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>In total, 2151 infants were included in this study and 2008 infants were in the primary outcome analysis. Significant associations of early PN were found with WT z-score END (adjusted mean difference, 0.14 (95% CI 0.05 to 0.23)), CA4 (β, 0.09 (0.04 to 0.14)) and CA1 (0.04 (0.01 to 0.08)), and GV PMA 36 weeks (1.02 (0.46 to 1.58)) and CA4 (1.03 (0.56 to 1.49), all p<0.001), but not with GV CA1 (p>0.05). No significant associations with mortality, incidence of NEC or antibiotic use was found (all p>0.05).</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>For VLBW infants, PN initiated within the first day of life is associated with improved in-hospital growth.</p>","PeriodicalId":8177,"journal":{"name":"Archives of Disease in Childhood - Fetal and Neonatal Edition","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":3.9,"publicationDate":"2024-08-16","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"139428466","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Fleur Brouwer, Hylke H Salverda, Sophie J E Cramer, Chantal Schmeits, Jacoline van der Plas, Arjan B Te Pas, Janneke Dekker
{"title":"Comparison of two different oxygen saturation target ranges for automated oxygen control in preterm infants: a randomised cross-over trial.","authors":"Fleur Brouwer, Hylke H Salverda, Sophie J E Cramer, Chantal Schmeits, Jacoline van der Plas, Arjan B Te Pas, Janneke Dekker","doi":"10.1136/archdischild-2023-326278","DOIUrl":"10.1136/archdischild-2023-326278","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Objective: </strong>To compare the effect of peripheral oxygen saturation (SpO<sub>2</sub>) target range (TR) (either 91%-95% and 92%-96%) on the frequency and duration of hypoxic and hyperoxic episodes while on automated oxygen control using the OxyGenie controller.</p><p><strong>Design: </strong>Randomised cross-over study.</p><p><strong>Setting: </strong>Tertiary-level neonatal unit in the Netherlands.</p><p><strong>Patients: </strong>Infants (n=27) with a median (IQR) gestational age of 27+0 (25+5-27+3) weeks and postnatal age of 16 (10-22) days, receiving invasive or non-invasive respiratory support.</p><p><strong>Interventions: </strong>In both groups supplemental oxygen was titrated to a TR of 91%-95% (TR<sub>low</sub>) or 92%-96% (TR<sub>high</sub>) by the OxyGenie controller (SLE6000 ventilator) for 24 hours each, in random sequence. After a switch in TR, a 1-hour washout period was applied to prevent carry-over bias.</p><p><strong>Main outcome measures: </strong>Frequency and duration of hypoxic (SpO<sub>2</sub><80% for ≥1 s) and hyperoxic episodes (SpO<sub>2</sub>>98% for ≥1 s).</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Hypoxic episodes were less frequent when the higher range was targeted (TR<sub>high</sub> vs TR<sub>low</sub>: 2.5 (0.7-6.2)/hour vs 2.4 (0.9-10.2)/hour, p=0.02), but hyperoxic episodes were more frequent (5.3 (1.8-12.3)/hour vs 2.9 (1.0-7.1)/hour, p<0.001). The duration of the out-of-range episodes was not significantly different (hypoxia: 4.7 (2.8-7.1) s vs 4.4 (3.7-6.5) s, p=0.67; hyperoxia: 4.3 (3.3-4.9) s vs 3.9 (2.8-5.5) s, p=0.89).</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Targeting a higher SpO<sub>2</sub> TR with the OxyGenie controller reduced hypoxic episodes but increased hyperoxic episodes. This study highlights the feasibility of using an automated oxygen titration device to explore the effects of subtle TR adjustments on clinical outcomes in neonatal care.</p><p><strong>Trial registration number: </strong>NL9662.</p>","PeriodicalId":8177,"journal":{"name":"Archives of Disease in Childhood - Fetal and Neonatal Edition","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":3.9,"publicationDate":"2024-08-16","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"139690991","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Caitriona M Ni Chathasaigh, Linda Smiles, Anna E Curley, Eoin O'Currain
{"title":"Newborn face mask ventilation training using a standardised intervention and respiratory function monitor: a before and after manikin study.","authors":"Caitriona M Ni Chathasaigh, Linda Smiles, Anna E Curley, Eoin O'Currain","doi":"10.1136/archdischild-2023-326416","DOIUrl":"10.1136/archdischild-2023-326416","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Objective: </strong>The International Liaison Committee on Resuscitation has recommended improvements in training for neonatal resuscitation, highlighting the potential role of respiratory function monitors (RFMs). Our objective was to determine whether a manikin-based, standardised face mask ventilation training intervention using an RFM with a simple visual display reduced face mask leak.</p><p><strong>Design: </strong>Multicentre, before and after study. Participants and instructors were blinded to the RFM display during both assessment periods.</p><p><strong>Participants: </strong>Healthcare professionals working or training in a hospital providing maternity and neonatal services.</p><p><strong>Intervention: </strong>All participants underwent a training intervention on positive pressure ventilation using a modified, leak-free manikin and RFM. The intervention consisted of a demonstration of optimal face mask ventilation technique, training in RFM interpretation with corrective strategies for common scenarios and a period of deliberate practice. Each participant performed 30 s of positive pressure ventilation blinded to the RFM display before and after training.</p><p><strong>Main outcome measures: </strong>The primary outcome was face mask leak (%) measured after training. Secondary outcome measures included expired tidal volume, inflating pressures and ventilation rate. Adjustments made to technique during training were an important qualitative outcome.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Four hundred and fourteen participants were recruited over a 13-month period from April 2022, and 412 underwent analysis. Median (IQR) face mask leak before training was 31% (10-69%) compared with 10% (6-18%) after training (p<0.0001). Improvements were noted across all other ventilation parameters.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Standardised face mask ventilation training using an RFM with simple visual feedback led to a significant reduction in leak.</p>","PeriodicalId":8177,"journal":{"name":"Archives of Disease in Childhood - Fetal and Neonatal Edition","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":3.9,"publicationDate":"2024-08-16","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11347195/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"139563193","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Daniele De Luca, Sara Ferraioli, Kristi L Watterberg, Olivier Baud, Maria Rosaria Gualano
{"title":"Hydrocortisone in very preterm neonates for BPD prevention: meta-analysis and effect size modifiers.","authors":"Daniele De Luca, Sara Ferraioli, Kristi L Watterberg, Olivier Baud, Maria Rosaria Gualano","doi":"10.1136/archdischild-2023-326254","DOIUrl":"10.1136/archdischild-2023-326254","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Objectives: </strong>To clarify if systemic hydrocortisone, in protocols allowing to start it before the 15th day of life, prevents bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) or other adverse outcomes in very preterm neonates, and to identify any possible effect size modifiers.</p><p><strong>Study design: </strong>Systematic review and meta-analysis following Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines. Additional analyses included meta-regressions and review of biological plausibility.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Seven trials were included, they were of general good quality and accounted for a total of 2193 infants. Hydrocortisone treatment did not reduce BPD (risk ratio (RR) 0.84 (95% CI 0.64 to 1.04)), but heterogeneity was evident (I<sup>2</sup>=51.6%). The effect size for BPD is greatest for 10-12 days duration of treatment (β=0.032 (0.01), p=0.007) and tended to be greater in patients with chorioamnionitis (β=-1.5 (0.841), p=0.07). Hydrocortisone treatment may significantly reduce mortality (RR 0.75 (95% CI 0.59 to 0.91)), there is no heterogeneity (I<sup>2</sup>=0) and the reduction tended to be greater in males (β=-0.06 (0.03), p=0.07). Hydrocortisone may significantly reduce necrotising enterocolitis (NEC; RR 0.72 (95% CI 0.53 to 0.92)); there is neither heterogeneity (I<sup>2</sup>=0%) nor any effect size modifiers. Hydrocortisone did not affect other adverse outcomes of prematurity.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>Systemic hydrocortisone may be considered, on a case-by-case evaluation, to reduce mortality and NEC, while it does not affect BPD. There are some potential effect size modifiers for mortality and BPD which should be addressed in future explanatory trials.</p><p><strong>Prospero registration number: </strong>CRD42023400520.</p>","PeriodicalId":8177,"journal":{"name":"Archives of Disease in Childhood - Fetal and Neonatal Edition","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":3.9,"publicationDate":"2024-08-16","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"139490664","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}