Antenatal corticosteroids undoubtedly save many lives and improve the quality of many others. However, the currently accepted dosage schedule has been in place since 1972, and recent studies have suggested that beneficial effects may be seen with less. Most but not all studies of long-term outcome show no adverse effects. The use of antenatal corticosteroids in women with COVID-19 raises important questions regarding potential risks and benefits. However, currently, most authorities recommend continuing according to published guidelines. With regard to postnatal corticosteroids, alternatives to systemic dexamethasone, the somewhat tainted standard of care, show promise in preventing bronchopulmonary dysplasia without adverse effects. Systemic hydrocortisone and inhaled corticosteroids are of note. The mixture of surfactant and corticosteroids deserves particular attention in the coming years.
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http://dx.doi.org/10.1136/archdischild-2020-319706 | DOI Listing |
Proc Biol Sci
January 2025
Behavioral Ecology Department, University of Goettingen, Goettingen, Germany.
The hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis plays a dual role in the biology of developmental plasticity in mammals, including humans-HPA axis activity not only provides the input for, but is also a target of, offspring developmental plasticity. To investigate the understudied effects of exposure timing, this study quantified maternal HPA axis activity during each half of gestation as well as during early lactation and assessed its effect on offspring HPA axis activity in a cross-sectional sample of infant, juvenile and adult Assamese macaques (). To add ecological validity to experimental studies under laboratory conditions, macaques were studied in the wild.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFEndocrinology
January 2025
Reproduction, Mother and Child Health, Centre de recherche du centre hospitalier universitaire de Québec-Université Laval, Québec City, QC G1V 4G2, Canada.
Leydig cells produce hormones that are required for male development, fertility, and health. Two Leydig cell populations produce these hormones but at different times during development: fetal Leydig cells, which are active during fetal life, and adult Leydig cells, which are functional postnatally. Historically, our ability to understand the origin and function of Leydig cells has been made difficult by the lack of genetic models to exclusively target these cells.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFInt J Mol Sci
January 2025
Department of Clinical Laboratory, School of Medicine, International University of Health and Welfare, Otawara 324-8501, Japan.
Intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) is a risk factor for postnatal cardiovascular, metabolic, and psychiatric disorders. In most IUGR models, placental dysfunction that causes reduced 11β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase 2 (11βHSD2) activity, which degrades glucocorticoids (GCs) in the placenta, resulting in fetal GC overexposure. This overexposure to GCs continues to affect not only intrauterine fetal development itself, but also the metabolic status and neural activity in adulthood through epigenetic changes such as microRNA change, histone modification, and DNA methylation.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFJ Paediatr Child Health
January 2025
Department of Paediatric Medicine, Townsville University Hospital, Townsville, Queensland, Australia.
Objective: To study the demographic characteristics, risk factors, management details and clinical outcomes to 12 months corrected age in indigenous and non-indigenous infants with chronic neonatal lung disease in North Queensland.
Design: Retrospective cohort study of infants with chronic neonatal lung disease admitted to a tertiary neonatal intensive care unit in regional Queensland from January 2015 to December 2019.
Results: There were 139 infants with chronic neonatal lung disease and 425 controls.
Neuropharmacology
March 2025
Tufts University Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine, North Grafton, MA, USA. Electronic address:
Background: The opioid epidemic is leading to increased opioid use in adolescent populations. A growing body of evidence suggests that taking opioids during adolescence can disrupt normal development and impact future offspring. This study investigates the impact of paternal morphine exposure during adolescence on the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis and release of endorphins in the offspring.
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