PERINATAL TRIALS REPORT

PERINATAL TRIALS REPORT

PT0349

ACTORDS (Australasian Collaborative Trial of Repeat Doses of Corticosteroids for the Prevention of Neonatal Respiratory Disease) Trial

A multicentred randomised controlled trial of repeat doses of prenatal corticosteroid given to women who remain at risk of preterm delivery for the prevention of neonatal morbidity.

Plain Language Summary: Preterm infants are at high risk of respiratory distress syndrome (RDS) as a consequence of immature lung development. RDS is the principle cause of early mortality and contributes significantly to the high costs of neonatal care. Prenatal corticosteroids substantially reduce the risk of RDS in babies born within 7 days of maternal treatment. Hence, in clinical practice, there has been a tendency to repeat the dose after 7 days in women who remain at risk of preterm birth. However, no formal policy exists. This trial seeks to evaluate the beneficial and adverse effects of repeat doses of prenatal steroids as they may provide a simple, inexpensive way to improve health outcomes for preterm infants.

Trial status: Closed to accrual

Date closed to accrual: July 2004

Trial Objective:

This study aims to determine the efficacy or otherwise of repeat doses of prenatal corticosteroids to women who remain at risk of preterm birth more than seven days after an initial corticosteroid dose.

Type of administration: Multi-centre International

Prinicipal Investigator/s: A/Professor Caroline Crowther

Ph 61 8 8204 7647

Email caroline.crowther@adelaide.edu.au

Dr Ross Haslam

A/Prof Janet Hiller

A/Prof Lesley McCowan

Prof Jeffrey Robinson

Contact Person/s: Ms Pat Ashwood

Ph 61 8 8204 7769

Email pat.ashwood@adelaide.edu.au