University of Adelaide researchers have been awarded more than $3 million from the Medical Research Future Fund (MRFF) to conduct a clinical trial to help determine the most beneficial dose of steroids for babies born pre-term.
The trial will analyse the effects of a single dose of corticosteroids for babies at risk of pre-term birth, compared to the conventional treatment of two doses of corticosteroids administered 24 hours apart and within seven days of birth.
Lead Australian researcher for this clinical trial, University of Adelaide Professor of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Jodie Dodd, said the results would impact the care of women and babies across Australia and internationally, with about 15 million babies born early (before 37 weeks) each year.
“Without some intervention, pre-term babies have a higher risk of inadequate lung and brain development, or early infant mortality,” Professor Dodd said.
“The steroids act to stimulate the production of surfactant, which helps the babies’ lungs to reduce the work of breathing. Ante-natal Corticosteroids (ACS) have been used in this context since the 1970s, but the optimal dose has never been determined.
“The benefits of using ACS for babies born preterm outweigh the risks, but it is possible that using half the dose will produce the same benefits of lung maturation without exposing babies to longer-term risks and side effects.
“This randomised trial will be conducted with collaborating hospitals around Australia and in Canada, and will allow us to achieve a robust sample size to see if a single dose of the steroid is enough to protect babies from the consequences of being born early.”
Recruitment is expected to take three to four years. The trial will collect data on women and babies at the time of birth, and again at the child’s second birthday.
“Without some intervention, pre-term babies have a higher risk of inadequate lung and brain development, or early infant mortality.”Professor Jodie Dodd
