Prenatal steroid for CAH: safe for the brain? new study investigates

NCT ID NCT02795871

Completed Knowledge-focused Sponsor: Hospices Civils de Lyon Source: ClinicalTrials.gov ↗

First seen Jun 27, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026

Summary

This study evaluates the long-term cognitive development of children who were exposed to dexamethasone (a steroid) while in the womb because they were at risk for congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH). The goal is to see if the drug causes any thinking or memory problems. Researchers will compare children with and without CAH who were or were not exposed to the drug, using IQ and memory tests.

What this could mean

Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only — not medical advice or a prediction.

Active substance: dexamethasone (a steroid given during pregnancy)
What this could lead to: If results show no harm, it could support the cautious use of prenatal dexamethasone to prevent genital virilization in girls with CAH, reducing the need for surgery.
What could go wrong: This is an observational follow-up study, not a new treatment trial. Previous studies have shown conflicting results on cognitive risks, and the small sample size may limit conclusions.

This is an AI summary of the original study and may miss details. Read our disclaimer.

Get updates

Get notified about this study

Sign up to get updates when this study changes or when new studies for CONGENITAL ADRENAL HYPERPLASIA are added.

Our safety recommendation!

By submitting, you agree to our Terms of use

Conditions

The condition(s) this trial relates to.

congenital adrenal hyperplasia

As listed by the trial registrant

The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.

CONGENITAL ADRENAL HYPERPLASIA

Contacts and locations

Locations

Groupement Hospitalier Est - Laboratoire d'endocrinologie moléculaire et maladies rares - Centre de biologie et de pathologie Est. 59 boulevard Pinel

Bron, 69677, France
Service d'endocrinologie pédiatrique, CHRU de Lille

Lille, France
Service d'endocrinologie pédiatrique, CHU de Besançon

Besançon, France
Service d'endocrinologie pédiatrique, CHU de Bordeaux

Bordeaux, France
Service d'endocrinologie pédiatrique, CHU de Grenoble

Grenoble, France
Service d'endocrinologie pédiatrique, CHU de Nantes

Nantes, France
Service d'endocrinologie pédiatrique, CHU de Nice

Nice, France
Service d'endocrinologie pédiatrique, CHU de Reims

Reims, France
Service d'endocrinologie pédiatrique, Hopital de la Timone, APHM

Marseille, France
Service d'endocrinologie pédiatrique, Hôpital Armand Trousseau, AP-HP

Paris, France

More trials for these conditions

Other studies related to the condition(s) this trial covers.