Association of antenatal corticosteroids with kidney function in adolescents born preterm with very low birth weight

Abstract

Objective: Investigate if antenatal corticosteroids (ANCS) are associated with worse kidney function in adolescence and if greater adiposity magnifies this association.

Study design: Prospective cohort of 162 14-year-olds born preterm with very low birth weight (<1500 g). Outcomes were estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) and first-morning urine albumin-to-creatinine ratio (UACR). We used adjusted generalized linear models, stratified by waist-to-height ratio (WHR) ≥ 0.5.

Results: Fifty-five percent had ANCS exposure and 31.3% had WHR ≥ 0.5. In adjusted analyses of the entire cohort, ANCS was not significantly associated with eGFR or UACR. However, the ANCS-eGFR association was greater in those with WHR ≥ 0.5 (β -16.8 ml/min/1.73 m², 95% CL -31.5 to -2.1) vs. WHR < 0.5: (β 13.9 ml/min/1.73 m², 95% CL -0.4 to 28.1), interaction term p = 0.02.

Conclusion: ANCS exposure was not associated with worse kidney function in adolescence, though ANCS may be associated with lower eGFR if children develop obesity by adolescence.