MedPath

Late Preterm Corticosteroids and Neonatal Hypoglycemia

Phase 4
Conditions
Neonatal Hypoglycemia
Prematurity
Interventions
Registration Number
NCT04869709
Lead Sponsor
University of Southern California
Brief Summary

This is a prospective randomized controlled trial investigating the timing of betamethasone administration in late preterm infants in relation to delivery and impact on neonatal hypoglycemia. Previous data has shown that neonatal hypoglycemia is increased in late preterm infants that were exposed to antenatal corticosteroids. The investigators hypothesize that the timing of steroid administration may impact the development of neonatal hypoglycemia.

Detailed Description

The use of antenatal corticosteroids for women at risk for preterm delivery has become widely adopted as standard of care. The American College of Obstetrics and Gynecologists (ACOG) officially recommends the use of corticosteroids for pregnant women between 24 and 34 weeks of gestation at risk of delivery within 7 days. Since publication of the ALPS trial, the Society of Maternal Fetal Medicine (SMFM) published guidelines supporting the use of late preterm steroids for singleton pregnancies between 34 weeks 0 days and 36 weeks 6 days who are at high risk of preterm birth within 7 days.

A secondary finding of the ALPS trial included the observation that the administration of antenatal betamethasone significantly increased the rate of neonatal hypoglycemia; the authors emphasized that while the long-term risks associated with neonatal hypoglycemia are not fully known, significant hypoglycemia is associated with poor neurodevelopmental outcome.

The optimal interval for administering late preterm steroids before delivery to minimize the risks of hypoglycemia while maximizing the benefits of fetal lung maturity has not been identified. The proposed research study will further investigate this question by randomizing patients to receive late preterm corticosteroids 2 days before delivery versus 7 days before delivery in order to determine if the rates and severity of neonatal hypoglycemia are different.

Recruitment & Eligibility

Status
UNKNOWN
Sex
Female
Target Recruitment
210
Inclusion Criteria
  • Singleton pregnancy
  • Gestational age 34 0/7 weeks to 36 5/7 weeks
  • Planned delivery in late preterm period
Exclusion Criteria
  • Prior course of betamethasone during pregnancy
  • Twin gestation
  • Fetal demise
  • Major fetal anomaly
  • Maternal contraindication to betamethasone
  • Pregestational diabetes
  • Expected delivery within 12 hours of randomization

Study & Design

Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Study Design
PARALLEL
Arm && Interventions
GroupInterventionDescription
Late Preterm Steroids 7 DaysBetamethasone Sodium Phosphate-
Late Preterm Steroids 2 DaysBetamethasone Sodium Phosphate-
Primary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Neonatal Glucose ConcentrationDelivery to 72 hours of life

Glucose reported in mg/dL; Hypoglycemia defined as concentration \< 40 mg/dL

Secondary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Use of mechanical ventilationDelivery to 72 hours of life

Drop in oxygen saturation and/or inability to maintain an airway requiring use of mechanical ventilation

StillbirthFrom administration of the intervention (betamethasone) to delivery

Incidence of intrauterine fetal demise at any point after administration of the intervention (betamethasone) and before delivery

Neonatal deathDelivery to 30 days of life

Death of fetus after delivery

Respiratory distress syndrome (RDS)Delivery to 72 hours of life

Defined as the presence of clinical signs of respiratory distress (ie: tachypnea, retractions, flaring, grunting, cyanosis) with a requirement of supplemental oxygen with a fraction of inspired oxygen of more than 0.21 and a chest radiograph showing hypoaeration and reticulogranular infiltrates

Transient Tachypnea of the NewbornDelivery to 72 hours of life

Defined when tachypnea (Respiratory Rate \>60 breaths per minute) occurs in the absence of chest radiography or a radiograph that was normal and resolved within 72 hours

Length of Hospital StayDelivery to discharge from hospital

Days in hospital from date of delivery until date of discharge

Use of CPAP or High Flow Nasal CannulaDelivery to 72 hours of life

Drop in oxygen saturation requiring use of CPAP or high flow nasal cannula for at least 12 continuous hours

Need for supplemental oxygenDelivery to 72 hours of life

Drop in oxygen saturation requiring use of supplemental oxygen with a fraction of inspired oxygen (FiO2) of at least 0.30 for at least 24 continuous hours

Use of ECMODelivery to 72 hours of life

Drop in oxygen saturation requiring use of ECMO (extracorporeal membrane oxygenation)

Neonatal pneumoniaDelivery to 72 hours of life

Defined when a combination of clinical, microbiologic, and/or radiographic findings suggest primary pulmonary infection as a cause of respiratory distress, fevers, increasing white blood cell count, need for antibiotics, and/or sepsis.

Need for surfactant administrationDelivery to 72 hours of life

Need for administration of exogenous surfactant in the setting of neonatal respiratory distress

Trial Locations

Locations (1)

LAC+USC Medical Center

🇺🇸

Los Angeles, California, United States

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