Am J Perinatol 1994; 11(2): 163-166
DOI: 10.1055/s-2007-994580
ORIGINAL ARTICLE

© 1994 by Thieme Medical Publishers, Inc.

Effect of Corticosteroids on the Maturation of Neutrophil Motility in very Low Birthweight Neonates

Leonard Eisenfeld, T. S. Rosenkrantz, Charlotte Block, Georgine Burke, Foster Phillips, Victor Herson, Peter Krause
  • Divisions of Neonatology and Pediatric Infectious Diseases, Department of Pediatrics, Hartford Hospital, Hartford Connecticut, and the Division of Neonatology, The University of Connecticut Health Center, Farmington, Connecticut, and the University of Connecticut School of Medicine, Farmington, Connecticut
Further Information

Publication History

Publication Date:
04 March 2008 (online)

ABSTRACT

Neutrophil (PMN) chemotaxis and chemokinesis were longitudinally studied in a group of 17 neonates with birth weights between 750 and 1250 g. Five of the 17 neonates were treated with prenatal betamethasone to attempt to prevent hyaline membrane disease, six received postnatal dexamethasone in an effort to reduce bronchopulmonary dysplasia, three received both, and three were not treated with corticosteroids. The group of 17 neonates were tested on four separate occasions:(1-2, 3-4, 7-8, and 10-14 postnatal days). PMN chemotaxis and chemokinesis were determined using a standard micropore filter assay. A group of 36 adults was used as additional controls. There were no significant differences noted in PMN chemotaxis or chemokinesis for the cortico-steroid vs the noncorticosteroid-treated groups. In the total group of 17 neonates, there was depression in PMN chemotaxis compared with adult values, which lasted at least through postnatal day 8. By day 13 to 14, PMN chemotactic values were similar to those of adults. In contrast, chemokinesis, was depressed during the initial 14 days (except for the first 2 postnatal days). These data suggest that perinatal corticosteroid administration does not affect PMN motility in newborn infants.

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