Pediatrics
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Randomized Controlled Trial Clinical Trial
Prophylaxis against early adrenal insufficiency to prevent chronic lung disease in premature infants.
BACKGROUND. Many extremely low birth weight infants (<1000 g) show biochemical evidence of adrenal insufficiency in the first week of life, correlating with subsequent development of chronic lung disease (CLD). ⋯ First, early treatment with low-dose hydrocortisone in this population of extremely low birth weight infants increased the likelihood of survival without CLD. Second, the benefit was particularly apparent in infants with chorioamnionitis. Third, a larger multicenter trial is needed to verify the primary outcome and to better evaluate risks and benefits.