TABLE 1.

Antenatal Glucocorticoid effects on Neonatal Stress Response

	Type of GC ; number of Courses	GAweeks at GC exposure	Post GC Days to birth	Maturity / GestAge at Birth	NeonatalStress Challenge Cortisolresponse	Behavioral response	Comme
Davis. Psychoneurendo. 2004 ref 62	betamethasone × 1 course	n/a	mean = 8.3 days, range = 1 – 21 days	preterm only 33–34	Blunted / no cortisol response among GC treated infants as compaired to no treatment comparison group	similar to comparison group	HPA axis function alter
Davis. J of Perinatology. 2006 ref 64	betamethasone × 1 course	n/a	mean = 5.1 days, range = 1–9 days	preterm only 28 –30	Blunted cortisol response among GC treated infants as compaired to no treatment comparison group	similar to comparison group	HPA axis function alter
Ashwood. AJOG. 2006 ref 66	betametasone × 1 course; compared to multiple courses. No control group	23 – 31	unknown	preterm only < 32 and > 32	Blunted cortisol response in multiple course group compared to single course group Greater blunting of cortisol response at earlier gestational exposure Baseline cortisol lower in multiple course group at day 7 compared to single course ; baseline cortisol levels were similar in the two groups by day 14.	not studied	Acute differences in HP in infants exposed to m
Schaffer. Obstet & Gynecol. 2009 ref 63	betamethasone × 1 course	29.4	mean = 60 days n/a	term and preterm >34 weeks	Blunted cortisol and cortisone response among GC treated infants as compared to no treatment comparison group	not studied	HPA axis function alter
Davis. J Child Psychol and Psychiatry. 2011 ref 69	Maternal Psychosocial stress; Exposed to elevated endogenous maternal cortisol in 2 and 3 trimesters	No exposure to synthetic GC treatment prenatal endogenous maternal GCs evaluated	n/a	term only 37–41	larger cortisol response and slower recovery associated with elevated maternal endogenous cortisol levels	slower recovery to baseline state	HPA axis function alter
Davis. Dvlp Psychobiol. 2011 ref 65	betamethasone × 1 course	29.5	mean = 60.5 days range = 28–105 days	term only 37–41	Larger cortisol response among the GC treated infants compared to no treatment comparison group; with greater response when GC exposure was at earlier GA	similar to comparison group	HPA axis function alter

Table1 summarizes studiesevaluating the effectsof antenatalglucocorticoid exposure on the HPA axis response tostress interm and preterm neonates. See text for details