Table 4.
Randomized controlled trials comparing hydrocortisone vs. placebo.
| Reference (authors, year) | Extubation | Reintubation | BPD | Others respiratory outcome | Systemic hypertension | HG | Sepsis/infection | PDA | IVH | NEC | ROP | Long-term NDV | Long-term growth |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Halbmeijer (16) | + | NE | NE | + | − | − | NE | NE | NE | NE | NE | NE | NE |
| Watterberg (17) | + | NE | = | = | − | = | = | = | = | = | = | At 22–26 months = | At 22–26 months = |
| Onland (18) | + | NE | = | ND | = | − | + a | = | = | = | NE | NE | NE |
| Baud (19) | ND | NE | + b | = | ND | ND | −b | + b | = | = | ND | At 2 years: +b | NE |
| Baud (20) | + | NE | = | = | = | = | −b | + | = | = | = | NE | NE |
| Parikh (21) | NE | NE | = | NE | NE | NE | NE | NE | =c | NE | NE | 18 months of corrected age = | 18 months of corrected age = |
| Parikh (22) | = | NE | = | = | = | = | = | NE | =c | = | NE | NE | NE |
| Peltoniemi (23) | NE | NE | = | NE | NE | NE | NE | + | = | −d | = | At 2 years: = | At 2 years: = |
| Watterberg (24) | NE | NE | = | NE | NE | NE | NE | NE | = | =d | = | Adjusted age 20 months + | Adjusted age 20 months = |
| Bonsante (25) | NE | NE | = | + | = | = | = | = | = | = | = | NE | NE |
| Ng (26) | NE | NE | = | + | = | = | = | NE | = | = | = | NE | NE |
| Peltoniemi (27) | = | NE | = | + | = | = | = | + | = | −d | = | NE | NE |
| Efird (28) | NE | NE | = | = | = | = | = | = | = | = | = | NE | NE |
| Watterberg (29) | NE | NE | = | = | = | = | = | = | = | −d | = | NE | NE |
| Watterberg (30) | ND | ND | + | + | = | = | = | = | = | = | = | NE | NE |
+, Better outcome for intervention group (steroids administration); −, worse outcome for intervention group (steroids administration); =, no differences between intervention and control groups; NE, not evaluated; ND, not declared; BPD, bronchopulmonary dysplasia; HG, hyperglycemia; PDA, patent ductus arteriosus; IVH, intraventricular hemorrhage; NEC, necrotizing enterocolitis; ROP, retinopathy of prematurity; NDV, neurodevelopment; GA, gestational age; BW, birth weight.
a
Pneumonia.
b
For those born at 24–25 weeks of gestational age.
c
White matter injury.
d
Gastrointestinal perforation.