Study, no. of centers n Eligibility criteria (all on mechanical ventilation) Timing Dexamethasone dosing regimen Outcome McEvoy et al. [25 ], 1 center 62 500–1500 g BW; ≤32 wk gestation 7–21 postnatal days 5 mg/kg/day tapered over 7 days versus 0.2 mg/kg tapered over 7 days Rate of survival without BPD 76% versus 73% (NS); no benefit to higher dose Odd et al. [26 ], 1 center 33 ≤1250 g BW 1–3 wk of age 0.5 mg/kg/day tapered over 42 days versus “individualize” (same dose, shorter course) Rate of survival without BPD: 24% versus 30% (NS); no difference in 18-month outcomes Malloy et al. [27 ], 1 center 16 <1501 g BW; <34 wk gestation <28 postnatal days 0.5 mg/kg/day tapered over 7 days versus 0.08 mg/kg/day for 7 days Rate of survival without BPD: 11% versus 38% (NS); higher dose had more adverse effects, no apparent benefit Walther et al. [28 ], 1 center 36 ≥600 g BW; 24–32 wk gestation 7–14 d postnatal age 0.2 mg/kg/day tapered over 14 days versus placebo Rate of survival without BPD: 65% versus 47% (NS); extubation: 76% versus 42% (
) Anttila et al. [29 ], 6 centers 109 500–999 g BW; ≤31 wk gestation Eligible at 4 h of age 0.25 mg/kg every 12 h × 4 doses versus placebo Rate of survival without BPD: 58% versus 52% (NS) Doyle et al. [30 ], 11 centers 70 <1000 g BW; <28 wk gestation >1 wk postnatal age 0.25 mg/kg every 12 h × 4 doses versus placebo Rate of survival without BPD: 14% versus 9% (NS); extubation: 60% versus 12% (odds ratio: 11.2 (95% confidence interval: 3.2–39.0)) Rozycki et al. [31 ], 1 center 61 650–2000 g BW ≥14 day postnatal age 0.5 mg/kg/day tapered over 42 day versus inhaled beclomethasone at 3 different doses for 7 days followed by the above-listed dexamethasone course, if still mechanically ventilated Rate of survival without BPD: 53% versus 46% (NS); extubation by 7 d: 7 of 15 versus 6 of 46 (
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