Small-bowel perforation in very low birth weight neonates treated with high-dose dexamethasone.

Introduction: Early postnatal treatment with high doses of corticosteroids may be effective in reducing the duration of mechanical ventilation in very low birth weight infants at risk for bronchopulmonary dysplasia. However, serious side effects may occur.

Material And Methods: A retrospective study on 5 very low birth weight neonates, mean (+/- SEM): gestational age range 27.