- 作者：Johanna St?lnacke ; Rochellys Diaz Heijtz ; Hanna Norberg ; Mikael Norman ; Ann-Charlotte Smedler ; Hans Forssberg
- 关键词：WAIS ; Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale ; WISC ; Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children
- 刊名：The Journal of Pediatrics
- 出版年：2013
- 出版时间：August, 2013
- 年：2013
- 卷：163
- 期：2
- 页码：441-446.e1
- 全文大小：135 K
Objective
To investigate whether repeat courses of antenatal corticosteroids have long-term effects on cognitive and psychological functioning.Study design
In a prospective cohort study, 58 adolescents and young adults (36 males) who had been exposed to 2-9 weekly courses of betamethasone in utero were assessed with neuropsychological tests and behavior self-reports. Unexposed subjects (n = 44, 25 males) matched for age, sex, and gestational age at birth served as a comparison group. In addition, individuals exposed in utero to a single course (n = 25, 14 males) were included for dose-response analysis. Group differences were investigated using multilevel linear modeling.
Results
Mean scores obtained in 2 measures of attention and speed were significantly lower in subjects exposed to 2 or more antenatal corticosteroids courses (Symbol Search, P = .009; Digit Span Forward, P = .02), but these were not dose-dependent. Exposure to repeat courses of antenatal corticosteroids was not associated with general deficits in higher cognitive functions, self-reported attention, adaptability, or overall psychological function.
Conclusions
Although this study indicates that repeat exposure to antenatal corticosteroids may have an impact on aspects of executive functioning, it does not provide support for the prevailing concern that such fetal exposure will have a major adverse impact on cognitive functions and psychological health later in life.