Sequelae of early steroid administration to the newborn infant

Twelve infants received hydrocortisone intravenously in the first 24 hours of life as therapy for RDS. They were paired with 12 similar infants who received a lactose placebo. Comparison follow-up studies were done on the two groups for one year and showed no difference in rate of growth or in ultimate size at 1 year of age. Steroid therapy was not associated with an increased rate of infection. Tests for immune competence were normal at one year in both groups. Infants who received the steroid tended to have a slightly increased incidence of gross neurological and electroencephalographic abnormalities. The developmental quotient was normal in both groups although subtests showed a significant lowering of the gross motor development in the study group.