MedPath

Dose Reduction of Antenatal Betamethasone Given to Prevent the Neonatal Complications Associated With Very Preterm Birth

Phase 3
Completed
Conditions
Neonatal Complications
Interventions
Registration Number
NCT02897076
Lead Sponsor
Assistance Publique - Hôpitaux de Paris
Brief Summary

Extensive animal studies have indicated that antenatal betamethasone exposure results in altered developmental trajectories of several fetal systems. Follow up of a randomized controlled trial has shown that antenatal betamethasone exposure might result in insulin resistance 30 years later. Furthermore, animal studies and randomized trials in Humans have clearly demonstrated that betamethasone-induced growth alterations were dose-related.

In ewes, a 50% reduced dose regimen resulted in maximal improvement in preterm lamb lung function, similar to those obtained after a full dose.

Our hypothesis is that antenatal betamethasone after a 50% dose reduction, justified by the potential long term effects of this drug, is not inferior to a full dose to promote fetal lung maturation in Humans.

Detailed Description

The BETADOSE project consist in a randomized, multicenter, double blind placebo-controlled non inferiority trial comparing a standard dose regimen (24 mg) to a reduced dose regimen (12 mg) of betamethasone given to prevent the neonatal complications associated with very preterm birth.A betamethasone course consists in 2 injections of 12 mg betamethasone 24 hours apart for a total dose of 24 mg.

The first injection will be unmasked in both group. In both group, women will receive a first 12 mg injection of betamethasone according to local protocols.

Randomization will be performed after the first injection. Women will then receive either a placebo injection (reduced dose regimen, 12 mg only from the first injection) or a second 12 mg betamethasone injection (standard dose regimen, 12 mg from the first injection and 12 mg from the second injection=24 mg). This protocol allows women sent from level 1 and 2 to level 3 perinatal centers after having already received their first injection to participate.

In case of multiple antenatal betamethasone courses, women will receive their second course according to the same design as in their first course.

Recruitment & Eligibility

Status
COMPLETED
Sex
Female
Target Recruitment
3250
Inclusion Criteria
  • Singleton pregnancy
  • Patient Having receipt the first injection of betamethasone and pregnancy term < 32 weeks of gestation
  • Age > 18 years
  • Patient affiliated to a social security regime
Read More
Exclusion Criteria
  • Chromosomal aberrations and major fetal malformations
  • Cervical dilatation ≥ 4 cm and of cervical length ≥20mm.
  • Patient who have already received a first course of betamethasone
  • first intravenous injection of betamethasone
Read More

Study & Design

Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Study Design
PARALLEL
Arm && Interventions
GroupInterventionDescription
12mg betamethasone+12mg betamethasonebetamethasone 24 mgA betamethasone course consists in 2 intramuscular injections of 12 mg betamethasone 24 hours apart for a total dose of 24 mg. In the BETADOSE trial, the first injection will be unmasked in both groups. In both groups, women will received a first 12 mg injection of betamethasone according to local protocols. Randomization will be performed after the first injection. Women will then received either a blinded placebo injection (50% reduced dose regimen, 12 mg only from the first injection) or a second blinded 12 mg betamethasone injection (standard full dose regimen, 12 mg from the first injection and 12 mg from the second injection=24 mg).
12 mg betamethasone+ placebo12mg betamethasone +placeboA betamethasone course consists in 2 intramuscular injections of 12 mg betamethasone 24 hours apart for a total dose of 24 mg. In the BETADOSE trial, the first injection will be unmasked in both groups. In both groups, women will received a first 12 mg injection of betamethasone according to local protocols. Randomization will be performed after the first injection. Women will then received either a blinded placebo injection (50% reduced dose regimen, 12 mg only from the first injection) or a second blinded 12 mg betamethasone injection (standard full dose regimen, 12 mg from the first injection and 12 mg from the second injection=24 mg).
Primary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
severe RDS defined as need for exogenous intra-tracheal surfactant in the first 48 hours of life48 hours of life

The primary assessment criterion is severe respiratory distress syndrome(RDS) defined as need for exogenous intra-tracheal surfactant in the first 48 hours of life. It is considered as a binary endpoint: failure if there is occurrence of RDS, or not failure.

Secondary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
oxygen therapy36 weeks post conception
neonatal death36 weeks post conception
admission to neonatal intensive care unit36 weeks post conception
inotropic support36 weeks post conception
air leak syndrome36 weeks post conception
patent ductus arteriosus36 weeks post conception
highest appropriate fractional inspired oxygen (FiO2)48 hours of life
maximum appropriate Mean Airway Pressure (MAP)48 hours of life
duration of mechanical ventilation36 weeks post conception
necrotising enterocolitis36 weeks post conception
duration of oxygen therapy36 weeks post conception
intraventricular hemorrhage and grade36 weeks post conception
periventricular leukomalacia36 weeks post conception
use of postnatal steroids36 weeks post conception
retinopathy of prematurity36 weeks post conception
length of hospital stay36 weeks post conception
early onset sepsis36 weeks post conception
Composite endpoint of any of the 4 prematurity-induced complications related to the use of betamethasone36 weeks post conception

Related to betamethasone impact on other prematurity-induced complications, is a composite outcome taking into account multiple clinical events :

neonatal death, severe RDS defined as need for exogenous intra-tracheal surfactant in the first 48 hours of life, intraventricular hemorrhage high grade, and necrotising enterocolitis.

Trial Locations

Locations (1)

Hôpital Robert Debré

🇫🇷

Paris, France

© Copyright 2025. All Rights Reserved by MedPath