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IMPROVING HEALTH FOR VERY PRETERM CHILDREN IN EUROPE

Evidence-based neonatal unit practices and determinants of postnatal corticosteroid-use in preterm births below 30 weeks GA in Europe. A population-based cohort study
Nuytten A, Behal H, Duhamel A, Jarreau PH, Mazela J, Milligan D, Gortner L, Piedvache P, Zeitlin J, Truffert P on behalf of the EPICE (Effective Perinatal Intensive Care in Europe) Research Group
PloS One (2017)


Postnatal corticosteroids (PNC) were widely used to treat and prevent bronchopulmonary dysplasia in preterm infants until studies showed increased risk of cerebral palsy and neurodevelopmental impairment. We found that PNC are still frequently used in Europe, but with wide regional variation that was unexplained by neonatal characteristics. Even for infants at highest risk for PNC use, some regions only rarely prescribed PNC. A stated policy of reduced PNC use was associated with observed practice and is recommended.

See full article here: PLoS One (2017)