• Nehal A Parikh, Robert G Locke, Aaron Chidekel, Kathleen H Leef, John Emberger, David A Paul, and John L Stefano.
• Department of Pediatrics, Thomas Jefferson University Hospital, Philadelphia, PA, USA. nehal.a.parikh@uth.tmc.edu
• J Am Osteopath Assoc. 2004 Mar 1;104(3):114-20.

BackgroundChronic lung disease (CLD) is one of the most severely disabling conditions of extremely low-birth-weight infants. Systemic corticosteroids are effective but cause many adverse effects. Targeted therapy with inhaled corticosteroids may be an effective and less toxic alternative.Study ObjectiveTo evaluate the additive effect of inhaled corticosteroids on markers of lung inflammation in infants receiving a 7-day course of systemic steroids.MethodsPreterm neonates weighing 1 kg or less and aged 12 to 28 days who were prescribed a 7-day course of systemic corticosteroids for evolving CLD were studied prospectively and randomized to receive either a tapering 4-week course of beclomethasone metered-dose inhaler (MDI) (n = 5) or placebo MDI (n = 6). Primary outcome variables were the levels of pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines, IL-8, TNF-alpha, IL-1alpha, and sIL-2R.ResultsThis study was terminated early following literature reports of the adverse neurodevelopmental effects of dexamethasone. Measurements of respiratory and serum IL-8, IL-1alpha and TNF-alpha were similar between the study group taking inhaled and systemic corticosteroids and the study group taking systemic steroids alone. No differences were found between the two groups in relation to dynamic compliance or resistance.ConclusionsThe addition of inhaled corticosteroids to a 7-day systemic course of corticosteroids did not alter cytokine response or improve pulmonary function.

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