Could a higher steroid dose help preterm babies breathe easier?

NCT ID NCT07765329

Disease control Sponsor: Stella Maris Women and Children Hospital Source: ClinicalTrials.gov ↗

First seen Aug 14, 2026 · Last updated Aug 14, 2026

Summary

This study looks at whether a higher dose of dexamethasone, a steroid given to pregnant women at risk of early birth, helps preterm babies' lungs mature better. Researchers are comparing babies born between 26 and 36 weeks whose mothers received either 12 mg or 6 mg of dexamethasone every 12 hours. They want to see if the higher dose reduces the need for breathing support and shortens NICU stays, while also checking safety for both mothers and babies.

What this could mean

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

Active substance: Dexamethasone (antenatal corticosteroid) given to pregnant women at risk of preterm birth
What this could lead to: If the higher dose works better, it could shorten breathing support and NICU stays for preterm babies, improving their early health.
What could go wrong: This is an observational review of past records, not a controlled experiment, so results may be influenced by other factors. The higher dose may also carry risks for mothers or babies.

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

Study facts

What this study's own registry entry says, in plain language.

Participants

200 people

The number who actually took part.

Started

Jan 2018

Finished

Jun 2026

Lead sponsor

Other sponsor

The registry's catch-all category, for sponsors it does not file as a company, a government agency, or a research network.

Who can take part

This study's own entry requirements. Only the study team can say for certain whether you qualify.

Who is studied

Preterm infants treated at the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit of Stella Maris Women's and Children's Hospital, Medan, Indonesia, from January 2018 to January 2023. Data were obtained retrospectively from hospital medical records.

Ages

26 to 36 weeks

Sex

Anyone

Healthy volunteers

Not accepted

This study is not open to healthy volunteers. The entry requirements below say who it is open to.

Show the full entry requirements

Copied word for word from the study's registry entry, so the wording is the study team's rather than ours.

Inclusion Criteria: * Preterm infants born to mothers with gestational age between 26 and 36 weeks * Infants whose mothers received antenatal dexamethasone for fetal lung maturation * Infants with complete medical records * Singleton or multiple gestations, including twins, triplets, or quadruplets Exclusion Criteria: * Stillbirths * Term infants * Preterm infants with known congenital anomalies * Preterm infants with known chromosomal abnormalities * Cases with preterm premature rupture of membranes

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Conditions

The condition(s) this trial relates to.

adult acute respiratory distress syndrome necrotizing enterocolitis neonatal sepsis newborn respiratory distress syndrome Premature Birth respiratory distress syndrome in premature infants Respiratory Distress Syndrome, Newborn

As listed by the trial registrant

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

Intraventricular hemorrhage (IVH) Intraventricular hemorrhage neonatal Maternal infection during pregnancy Necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) Neonatal hypoglycemia Neonatal respiratory distress syndrome Neonatal sepsis Neurodevelopmental disorder of foetus Premature birth Respiratory distress syndrome (RDS)

Could a higher steroid dose help preterm babies breathe easier?

What the study statuses mean