[Is antenatal corticosteroid administration associated with increased acid gastroesophageal reflux in preterm neonates?]. / Czy kortykorepia prenatalna zwieksza ryzyko wystapienia kwasnego odplywu zoladkowo-przelykowego u noworodków przedwczesnie urodzonych?

ABSTRACT

THE AIM OF THE STUDY Preliminary assessment of the incidence of acid gastroesophageal reflux in preterm neonates with and without antenatal administration of steroids. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Analysis of 96 neonates born before 34 weeks of pregnancy was undertaken. The patients were divided into two groups I - those who received antenatal corticosteroids n=22; II - those who received no antenatal corticosteroids n=74. All patients had 24-hour pH-metry and basing on the result of this examination we diagnosed or excluded acid gastroesophageal reflux. RESULTS: In group I gastroesophageal reflux was diagnosed in 9/22 neonates (40.9%), in group II in 12/72 (16.2%), odds ratio=3.58. CONCLUSIONS: The frequency of acid gastroesophageal reflux is higher in preterm infants who received antenatal corticosteroids.