The use of two or more courses of low-dose systemic dexamethasone to extubate ventilator-dependent preterm neonates may be associated with a higher prevalence of cerebral palsy at two years of corrected age

Our objective was to determine whether the use of two or more courses of low-dose systemic dexamethasone for extubation of ventilator-dependent preterm infants after the first week of life, as proposed in the DART study, is associated with greater neurodevelopmental harm at two years of corrected age, compared to a single course. Retrospective review at seven level III neonatal intensive care units. Preterm infants who underwent only one course of systemic dexamethasone for extubation were grouped into DART-1; those who underwent two or more courses were grouped into DART-2. Data and outcomes of infants in DART-2 were compared with those in DART-1. 150 preterm infants were studied: 104 in DART-1 and 46 in DART-2. Patients in DART-2 had a lower gestational age (25 vs. 26 weeks, p = 0.031) and greater morbidity. The average dexamethasone cumulative dose for patients in DART-1 was 0.819 mg/kg, vs. 1.697 mg/kg for patients in DART-2. A total of 14 patients died. The neuromotor and neurosensory assessments at two years of corrected age revealed in the DART-2 survivors, after the multivariate analysis, a higher prevalence of cerebral palsy with functional motor class 2 (OR = 6.837; 95%CI: 1.054–44.337; p = 0.044) and ophthalmological problems requiring the use of glasses (OR = 4.157; 95%CI: 1.026–16.837; p = 0.046). In this cohort, the use of more than one course of systemic dexamethasone in low doses for extubation of ventilator-dependent premature infants after the first week of life was associated, at two years of corrected age, with a higher prevalence of cerebral palsy with functional motor class 2 and ophthalmological problems requiring the use of glasses. •Dexamethasone is a powerful anti-inflammatory agent.•Dexamethasone is associated with cerebral palsy in preterm infants.•A low-dose dexamethasone course facilitates extubation of ventilator dependent infants.•It is not known if two courses of dexamethasone for extubation is harmful in preterms.•In our study more than one course of dexamethasone for extubation was harmful.