Effect of five days of dexamethasone therapy on ventilator dependence and adrenocorticotropic hormone-stimulated cortisol concentrations.

Abstract

A 5-day course of dexamethasone may be adequate to achieve ventilator independence. The difference in peak cortisol concentrations may reflect suppression of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis by dexamethasone or a higher peak cortisol response in the infants treated with saline solution who have higher ventilatory acuity after therapy.