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Jobe AH, Goldenberg RL, Kemp MW. Antenatal corticosteroids: an updated assessment of anticipated benefits and potential risks. Am J Obstet Gynecol 2024; 230:330-339. [PMID: 37734637 DOI: 10.1016/j.ajog.2023.09.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/20/2023] [Revised: 09/02/2023] [Accepted: 09/14/2023] [Indexed: 09/23/2023]
Abstract
Antenatal steroid therapy is increasingly central to the obstetrical management of women at imminent risk of preterm birth. For women likely to deliver between 24 and 34 weeks' gestation, antenatal steroid therapy is the standard of care, conferring sizable benefits and few risks in high-resource environments when appropriately targeted. Recent studies have focused on antenatal steroid use in periviable and late preterm populations, and in term cesarean deliveries. As a result, antenatal steroid therapy has now been applied from 22 to 39+6 weeks of estimated gestational age. There is also an increased appreciation that the vast majority of randomized control data informing the use of antenatal steroids are derived from predominantly high-resource, White populations. Accordingly, a sizable amount of work has recently been undertaken to test how to safely use antenatal steroids in low- and middle-resource environments, wherein the often high rates of preterm birth make these low-cost, easily administered interventions an attractive proposition. It is likely underappreciated by the obstetrical and neonatal communities that the overall efficacy of antenatal steroid therapy is highly variable (including when preterm risk is accurately assessed), the treatment regimens used are largely arbitrary, dosing is suprapharmacologic for effect, and the benefit-risk balance is significantly and differentially modified by gestation. It is also very likely that the patients consenting to receive these treatments are similarly unaware of the complex balance of potential benefits and harms. Although a small number of follow-up studies present a generally benign picture of long-term antenatal steroid risk, several large, population-based retrospective studies have identified associations between antenatal steroid use, childhood mental disease, and newborn infections that warrant urgent attention. Of particular contemporary importance are emergent efforts to optimize antenatal steroid regimens on the basis of the pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of the agents themselves, the need for better targeting of these potent drugs, and clear articulation of the potential benefits and harms of antenatal steroid use at differing stages of pregnancy and in different delivery contexts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alan H Jobe
- Section of Neonatology, Perinatal and Pulmonary Biology, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH.
| | - Robert L Goldenberg
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY
| | - Matthew W Kemp
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore; Women and Infants Research Foundation, King Edward Memorial Hospital, Subiaco, Australia; Center for Perinatal and Neonatal Medicine, Tohoku University Hospital, Sendai, Japan
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Paping A, Ehrlich L, Melchior K, Ziska T, Wippermann W, Starke A, Heinichen K, Henrich W, Braun T. A Sustainable Translational Sheep Model for Planned Cesarean Delivery of Contraction-Free Ewes. Reprod Sci 2024; 31:791-802. [PMID: 37848643 PMCID: PMC10912125 DOI: 10.1007/s43032-023-01365-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/29/2023] [Accepted: 09/14/2023] [Indexed: 10/19/2023]
Abstract
We evaluated whether the sheep constitutes a useful translational model to evaluate anatomical and surgical aspects of cesarean delivery (CD) from a human medical perspective with the aim of both maternal and neonatal well-being. Our hypothesis was that CD in contraction-free ewes is not associated with major complications. Primary endpoint was the transferability of anatomical conditions and surgical techniques of CD from the ewe to the human. Secondary endpoints were maternal and fetal survival, occurrence of retained fetal membranes, metritis, mastitis, or wound infections. Forty-eight Merino ewes were delivered by CD after 95% gestation (142-144 days). Both ewes and newborn lambs were cared for intensively after the delivery. Ovine uterine anatomy during CD appeared slightly different but comparable to the human uterus. Uterine incisions were mostly performed in the uterine horns, not in the uterine corpus. The ovine uterine wall is thinner than in humans. All ewes survived without any major complications. Seventy-seven (88.5%) out of 87 live-born lambs survived without any complications. The contraction-free ewe constitutes an appropriate and safe model to evaluate anatomical and surgical aspects of CD from a human medical perspective. We present a step-by-step manual for successfully planned cesarean delivery for sheep including the perioperative management illustrated with photographs and a five-minute video. With adequate planning and a reasonable number of staff, it is possible to safeguard both maternal and neonatal survival. This sustainable translational medicine model offers additional potential for the offspring to be used for further research studies (e.g., transgenerational inheritance research).
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexander Paping
- Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Department of Obstetrics, Augustenburger Platz 1, 13353, Berlin, Germany.
- Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Division of 'Experimental Obstetrics', Berlin, Germany.
| | - Loreen Ehrlich
- Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Division of 'Experimental Obstetrics', Berlin, Germany
| | - Kerstin Melchior
- Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Division of 'Experimental Obstetrics', Berlin, Germany
| | - Thomas Ziska
- Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Division of 'Experimental Obstetrics', Berlin, Germany
| | - Wolf Wippermann
- Clinic for Ruminants and Swine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Leipzig University, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Alexander Starke
- Clinic for Ruminants and Swine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Leipzig University, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Karin Heinichen
- Oberholz Farm for Teaching and Research, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Leipzig University, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Wolfgang Henrich
- Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Department of Obstetrics, Augustenburger Platz 1, 13353, Berlin, Germany
| | - Thorsten Braun
- Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Department of Obstetrics, Augustenburger Platz 1, 13353, Berlin, Germany
- Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Division of 'Experimental Obstetrics', Berlin, Germany
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Chawanpaiboon S, Chukaew R, Pooliam J. A comparison of 2 doses of antenatal dexamethasone for the prevention of respiratory distress syndrome: an open-label, noninferiority, pragmatic randomized trial. Am J Obstet Gynecol 2024; 230:260.e1-260.e19. [PMID: 37442247 DOI: 10.1016/j.ajog.2023.07.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/26/2023] [Revised: 06/28/2023] [Accepted: 07/06/2023] [Indexed: 07/15/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Antenatal corticosteroids have been used for the prevention of respiratory complications, intraventricular hemorrhage, necrotizing enterocolitis, and other adverse neonatal outcomes for over 50 years, with limited evidence about their optimal doses. Higher steroid doses or frequencies of antenatal corticosteroids in preterm newborns pose adverse effects such as prolonged adrenal suppression, negative effects on fetal programming and metabolism, and increased risks of neurodevelopmental and neuropsychological impairments. Conversely, lower doses of antenatal corticosteroids may be an effective alternative to induce fetal lung maturation with less risk to the fetus. Late preterm births represent the largest population of all preterm neonates, with a respiratory distress syndrome risk of 8.83%. Therefore, determining the optimal antenatal corticosteroid dosage is of particular importance for this population. OBJECTIVE This study aimed to compare the efficacy of 5-mg and 6-mg dexamethasone in preventing neonatal respiratory distress syndrome in women with preterm births at 320 to 366 weeks of gestation. STUDY DESIGN This was an open-label, randomized, controlled, noninferiority trial. Singleton pregnant women (n=370) at 320 to 366 weeks of gestation with spontaneous preterm labor or preterm premature rupture of membranes were enrolled. They were randomly assigned (1:1) to a 5-mg or 6-mg dexamethasone group. Dexamethasone was administered intramuscularly every 12 hours for 4 doses or until delivery. The primary outcome was the reduction in neonatal respiratory distress syndrome cases, whereas the secondary outcomes were any adverse maternal or neonatal events. RESULTS Between December 2020 and April 2022, 370 eligible women, anticipating deliveries within the gestational range of 32 0/7 to 36 6/7 weeks, willingly participated in the study. They were evenly split, with 185 women assigned to the 5-mg group and 185 to the 6-mg group. The study revealed that the demographic profiles of the participants in the 2 groups were remarkably similar, with no statistically significant disparities (P>.05). It is noteworthy that most of these women gave birth after 34 weeks of gestation. Despite a substantial proportion not completing the full course of steroid treatment, the 5-mg dose exhibited noninferiority compared with the 6-mg dose of dexamethasone, as indicated by a modest proportional difference of 0.5% (95% confidence interval, -2.8 to 43.9). Neonatal respiratory distress syndrome occurred in a relatively low percentage of newborns in both groups, affecting 2.2% in the 5-mg group and 1.6% in the 6-mg group. Notably, the risk difference of 0.6% fell comfortably within the predefined noninferiority threshold of 10%. CONCLUSION Our study suggests that a 5-mg dexamethasone dose is noninferior to a standard 6-mg dose in preventing neonatal respiratory distress syndrome in preterm births.
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Affiliation(s)
- Saifon Chawanpaiboon
- Division of Maternal-Fetal Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand.
| | - Ronnakorn Chukaew
- Division of Maternal-Fetal Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Julaporn Pooliam
- Clinical Epidemiological Unit, Office for Research and Development, Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
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Chen M, Xu Y, Guo X, Sun B. Efficacy of perinatal pharmacotherapeutic actions for survival of very preterm newborn rabbits at 26-day gestation. J Appl Physiol (1985) 2023; 134:558-568. [PMID: 36701481 DOI: 10.1152/japplphysiol.00606.2022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2022] [Revised: 12/28/2022] [Accepted: 01/23/2023] [Indexed: 01/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Investigation of the pathophysiology of lung impairment and protection in very preterm neonates at birth requires adequate experimental models. This study aimed to elucidate the efficacy and mechanism of perinatal pharmacotherapeutic action in postnatal survival of very preterm rabbits. Pregnant New Zealand White rabbits on 25-day gestation (term 31 days) were given dexamethasone (D), or sham injection as control (C), and cesarean delivered 24 hours later on day 26. Newborns were anesthetized, intratracheally intubated, randomly received either saline or porcine surfactant (S), allocated to four groups (C, S, D, and DS), and ventilated with low tidal volume. Under the identical protocol, another four groups were added with nitric oxide (N) inhalation (CN, SN, DN, and DSN). Survival length, lung mechanics, histopathology, and pathobiology of lung tissue were measured for benefits and injury patterns. DSN had the longest median survival time (ST50, 10.3 h), whereas C had the shortest (3.5 h), with remaining groups in-between. The survival was mainly benefited by S, when additive effects with D and/or N were discernible, by improved lung mechanics and alveolar aeration, ameliorated lung injury severity and pneumothorax, and augmented lung phospholipid pools, with DSN being the most optimal. Variable mRNA expression profiles of alveolar epithelia-associated cytokines and inflammatory mediators further characterized injury and response patterns as phenotyping conditioned in pharmacotherapeutic actions. In conclusion, the combined regimens of perinatal medications achieved remarkable survival in very preterm rabbits with lung protective ventilation strategy, offering a unique model in investigation of very preterm birth-associated respiratory physiology and morbidities.NEW & NOTEWORTHY By establishing a very preterm rabbit model with 26-day gestation (term 31 days), optimal survival length for 50% of animals in groups was achieved by comparing regimens of combined antenatal glucocorticoids, postnatal surfactant and inhaled nitric oxide, with a low tidal volume ventilation strategy. The efficacies of pharmacotherapeutic action were associated with significantly improved lung mechanics, ameliorated lung injury and pneumothorax, and enhanced surfactant phospholipid metabolism, along with variable mRNA expression profiles characterizing the response patterns.
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Affiliation(s)
- Meimei Chen
- Departments of Pediatrics and Neonatology, Children's Hospital of Fudan University, Shanghai, People's Republic of China
- National Children's Medical Center, the Laboratory of Neonatal Diseases, National Commission of Health, Shanghai, People's Republic of China
| | - Yaling Xu
- Departments of Pediatrics and Neonatology, Children's Hospital of Fudan University, Shanghai, People's Republic of China
- National Children's Medical Center, the Laboratory of Neonatal Diseases, National Commission of Health, Shanghai, People's Republic of China
| | - Xiaojing Guo
- Departments of Pediatrics and Neonatology, Children's Hospital of Fudan University, Shanghai, People's Republic of China
- National Children's Medical Center, the Laboratory of Neonatal Diseases, National Commission of Health, Shanghai, People's Republic of China
| | - Bo Sun
- Departments of Pediatrics and Neonatology, Children's Hospital of Fudan University, Shanghai, People's Republic of China
- National Children's Medical Center, the Laboratory of Neonatal Diseases, National Commission of Health, Shanghai, People's Republic of China
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Takahashi T, Takahashi Y, Fee EL, Usuda H, Furfaro L, Newnham JP, Jobe AH, Kemp MW. Single nucleotide polymorphisms in surfactant protein A1 are not associated with a lack of responsiveness to antenatal steroid therapy in a pregnant sheep model. Physiol Rep 2022; 10:e15477. [PMID: 36200269 PMCID: PMC9535346 DOI: 10.14814/phy2.15477] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2022] [Revised: 08/29/2022] [Accepted: 09/04/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023] Open
Abstract
Treatment with antenatal steroids (ANS) is standard practice for reducing the risk of respiratory distress in the preterm infant. Despite clear overall benefits when appropriately administered, many fetuses fail to derive benefit from ANS therapies. In standardized experiments using a pregnant sheep model, we have demonstrated that around 40% of ANS-exposed lambs did not have functional lung maturation significantly different from that of saline-treated controls. Surfactant protein A is known to play an important role in lung function. In this genotyping study, we investigated the potential correlation between polymorphisms in SFTPA1, messenger RNA and protein levels, and ventilation outcomes in animals treated with ANS. 45 preterm lambs were delivered 48 h after initial ANS therapy and 44 lambs were delivered 8 days after initial ANS therapy. The lambs were ventilated for 30 min after delivery. SFTPA1 mRNA expression in lung tissue was not correlated with arterial blood PaCO2 values at 30 min of ventilation in lambs delivered 48 h after treatment. SFTPA1 protein in lung tissue was significantly correlated with PaCO2 at 30 min of ventilation in lambs ventilated both 48 h and 8 days after ANS treatment. Six different single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the Ovis aries SFTPA1 sequence were detected by Sanger Sequencing. No individual SNPs or SNP haplotypes correlated with alterations in PaCO2 at 30 min of ventilation or SFTPA1 protein levels in the lung. For the subset of animals analyzed in the present study, variable lung maturation responses to ANS therapy were not associated with mutations in SFTPA1.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tsukasa Takahashi
- Division of Obstetrics and GynaecologyThe University of Western AustraliaPerthWestern AustraliaAustralia
- Centre for Perinatal and Neonatal MedicineTohoku University HospitalSendaiJapan
| | - Yuki Takahashi
- Division of Obstetrics and GynaecologyThe University of Western AustraliaPerthWestern AustraliaAustralia
- Centre for Perinatal and Neonatal MedicineTohoku University HospitalSendaiJapan
| | - Erin L. Fee
- Division of Obstetrics and GynaecologyThe University of Western AustraliaPerthWestern AustraliaAustralia
| | - Haruo Usuda
- Division of Obstetrics and GynaecologyThe University of Western AustraliaPerthWestern AustraliaAustralia
- Centre for Perinatal and Neonatal MedicineTohoku University HospitalSendaiJapan
| | - Lucy Furfaro
- Division of Obstetrics and GynaecologyThe University of Western AustraliaPerthWestern AustraliaAustralia
| | - John P. Newnham
- Division of Obstetrics and GynaecologyThe University of Western AustraliaPerthWestern AustraliaAustralia
| | - Alan H. Jobe
- Division of Obstetrics and GynaecologyThe University of Western AustraliaPerthWestern AustraliaAustralia
- Perinatal Research, Department of PediatricsCincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Centre, University of CincinnatiCincinnatiOhioUSA
| | - Matthew W. Kemp
- Division of Obstetrics and GynaecologyThe University of Western AustraliaPerthWestern AustraliaAustralia
- Centre for Perinatal and Neonatal MedicineTohoku University HospitalSendaiJapan
- School of Veterinary and Life SciencesMurdoch UniversityPerthWestern AustraliaAustralia
- Department of Obstetrics and GynaecologyYong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of SingaporeSingapore
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