Neonatal glucocorticoid treatment: Long-term effects on the hypothalamus–pituitary–adrenal axis, immune system, and problem behavior in 14–17 year old adolescents

Neonatal glucocorticoid (GC) treatment is used to prevent bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) in prematurely born babies. In the 1990s, treatment regimens with relatively high doses of dexamethasone (DEX) were common. As an alternative, hydrocortisone (HC) was used. Earlier, we compared long-term effects of both GCs in children aged 7–10 and detected adverse effects of neonatal DEX treatment, but not of HC, on a range of outcomes. The aim of the...