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. 2020 Sep;40(9):1339-1348.
doi: 10.1038/s41372-020-0589-1. Epub 2020 Feb 14.

Neonatal hypoglycemia after initiation of late preterm antenatal corticosteroids

Kristen R Uquillas  1 , Richard H Lee  2 , Smeeta Sardesai  3 , Ellison Chen  4 , Ugonna Ihenacho  5 , Victoria K Cortessis  5   6 , Lorayne Barton  3
Affiliations

Neonatal hypoglycemia after initiation of late preterm antenatal corticosteroids

Kristen R Uquillas et al. J Perinatol. 2020 Sep.

Abstract

Objective: To compare the frequency and severity of neonatal hypoglycemia in pregnancies treated with and without late preterm antenatal corticosteroids.

Study design: We conducted a retrospective cohort study of late preterm deliveries at LAC + USC (2015-2018). Neonatal outcomes were compared between pregnancies treated with and without corticosteroids.

Results: 93 pregnancies (39.9%) received corticosteroids and 140 (60.1%) did not. Neonates born to women given corticosteroids were more likely to be hypoglycemic (47.3 vs. 29.3%, ORadj 2.25, padj = 0.01). The mean initial glucose (45.6 mg/dL vs. 51.9 mg/dL, p = 0.01) and glucose nadir (39.1 mg/dL vs. 45.4 mg/dL, p < 0.001) were significantly lower if the neonates received corticosteroids. Neonates admitted to the NICU solely for hypoglycemia were more likely to be born to women treated with corticosteroids (ORadj 4.71, padj = 0.01).

Conclusion: Administration of late preterm corticosteroids was associated with an increased incidence and severity of neonatal hypoglycemia.

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References

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