Low-dose Dexamethasone Group Research Articles

Comparison of Efficacy and Safety of Low-Dose Versus High-Dose Dexamethasone in Hospitalized COVID-19 Patients: A Meta-Analysis.

The aim of this study is to compare the efficacy and safety of low-dose and high-dose dexamethasone in hospitalized coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) patients. The current meta-analysis was conducted in compliance with Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. A comprehensive literature search was carried out using PubMed, the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL), and Embase. Outcomes assessed in the current meta-analysis included 28-day mortality, intensive care unit (ICU) admission, mechanical ventilation, length of ICU admission (days), and length of hospital stay (days). For safety, we compared hypoglycemia and the incidence of infection between the high-dose dexamethasone group and the low-dose dexamethasone group. A total of four studies fulfilled the inclusion criteria and were included in this meta-analysis.No significant difference was found between the two groups in terms of ICU admission (risk ratio (RR): 0.72, 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.41-1.28, p-value: 0.27),length of stay in ICU in days (mean difference (MD): -0.05, 95%CI: -3.96-3.87, p-value: 0.98, I-square: 94%),length of hospital stay in days (MD: -0.94, 95%CI: -1.94-0.06, p-value: 0.07), need of mechanical ventilation (RR: 0.72, 95%CI: 0.36-1.48, p-value: 0.38), and 28-day mortality (RR: 0.90, 95% CI: 0.50-1.64, p-value: 0.74). The current study showed that higher doses of dexamethasone failed to enhance efficacy compared to low-dose dexamethasone. Thus, based on the findings of this meta-analysis, low-dose dexamethasone can be recommended for these patients.

Impact of low-dose dexamethasone on pregnancy outcome in type A PCOS women candidate for IVF/ICSI using the gonadotropinreleasing hormone antagonist protocol

Objective. Evaluation of the efficacy of low-dose dexamethasone on ovarian response and pregnancy outcome in infertile patients with type A polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS). Patients and methods. The study included infertile patients with type A PCOS who were candidates for in vitro fertilization/intracytoplasmic sperm injection (IVF/ICSI) using a fixed GnRH antagonist protocol. The patients were randomized into two groups: a low-dose steroid group of 80 women with type A PCOS undergoing a trial of IVF/ICSI who received two tablets of 0.5 mg dexamethasone every evening from the first day of gonadotropin administration till the night before oocyte retrieval with a GnRH antagonist controlled ovarian hyperstimulation (COH), and a placebo group of 80 women with type A PCOS undergoing IVF/ICSI who received two tablets of placebo from the first day of gonadotropin administration until the night of oocyte retrieval. Results. In the low-dose dexamethasone group, the duration of stimulation was statistically significantly shorter, and there were significantly fewer stimulation ampoules; however, E2 levels on the day of ovulation induction, fertilization rate, and the number of retrieved M2 and fertilized oocytes were significantly higher compared to the placebo group. On the other hand, there was no significant difference between both groups regarding the incidence of ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS) and the rate of embryo transfer. Conclusion. Dexamethasone improves embryo quality and pregnancy rate; additionally, it minimizes the number of gonadotropin ampoules used for stimulation. Thus, we suggest the use of dexamethasone in women with PCOS undergoing IVF/ICSI treatment. Key words: low-dose dexamethasone; type A PCOS; IVF/ICSI; antagonist protocol

334. Impact of Overall Dexamethasone Exposure on Development of Invasive Pulmonary Aspergillosis in Hospitalized Patients with COVID-19

BackgroundAbbreviated courses of corticosteroids, such as dexamethasone, have demonstrated significant improvements in clinical outcomes among patients infected with COVID-19, although chronic corticosteroid use can predispose patients to opportunistic infections. The RECOVERY trial investigators showed reduced 28-day mortality among patients treated with 6 mg/day dexamethasone for up to 10 days, however in clinical practice the dosage and duration of dexamethasone therapy can vary widely based on severity of disease and provider discretion. Upon observing an anecdotal increase in the number of patients presenting with potential invasive aspergillosis during the third wave of COVID-19, we sought to evaluate the impact of overall dexamethasone exposure on the development of invasive pulmonary aspergillosis. MethodsPatients presenting to our institution from Dec. 2020 – Jan. 2021 with positive PCR for SARS-CoV-2 were screened for dexamethasone therapy. Assignment of high vs low dose dexamethasone groups were retrospectively made based on overall dexamethasone exposure. Low dose dexamethasone assignment was restricted to a total exposure of no more than 78 mg during a patient’s hospitalization. Adjudication of invasive pulmonary aspergillosis was made based on criteria that included host factors, radiologic findings, clinical factors, and mycological evidence.ResultsDexamethasone therapy was provided to 202 patients admitted to the hospital with COVID-19. Invasive pulmonary aspergillosis was determined to be probable in n=7 patients based on European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer (EORTC) criteria, and in n=13 patients based on expanded criteria. Patients in the low dose dexamethasone group were less likely to be diagnosed with probable IPA based on EORTC criteria (n=0, 0% on low dose vs. n=7, 11% on high dose) as well as expanded criteria (n=9, 5% on low dose vs. n=11, 17% on high dose), p< 0.001.ConclusionPatients hospitalized with COVID-19 receiving high-dose dexamethasone may be at a higher risk of opportunistic infections such as invasive pulmonary aspergillosis compared to patients who receive low-dose dexamethasone therapy. Further investigation is needed to obtain higher certainty of IPA diagnosis.Disclosures All Authors: No reported disclosures

Correlative Analyses of Cereblon (CRBN), cMYC, IRF4, BLIMP1, and XBP1 with Clinical Outcomes in Stratus (MM-010), a Phase 3b Study of Pomalidomide (POM) + Low-Dose Dexamethasone (LoDEX) in Patients (pts) with Relapsed/Refractory Multiple Myeloma (RRMM)

Correlative Analyses of Cereblon (CRBN), cMYC, IRF4, BLIMP1, and XBP1 with Clinical Outcomes in Stratus (MM-010), a Phase 3b Study of Pomalidomide (POM) + Low-Dose Dexamethasone (LoDEX) in Patients (pts) with Relapsed/Refractory Multiple Myeloma (RRMM)

Efficacy of Different Doses of Dexamethasone as Pre-emptive Analgesia in Patients Undergoing Total Abdominal Hysterectomy under General Anaesthesia: A Prospective Non Randomised Placebo Controlled Study

Introduction: Pre-emptive analgesia reduces postoperative analgesic requirement, avoiding side-effects that occur with parenteral narcotics. Dexamethasone, a long acting synthetic corticosteroid with predominantly glucocorticoid activity is one of the entities used for pre-emptive analgesia. The optimum dose of dexamethasone for pre-emptive analgesia is not defined. Aim: To study the efficiency of different (low, intermediate and high) doses of dexamethasone as pre-emptive analgesia in patients undergoing total abdominal hysterectomy under general anaesthesia. Materials and Methods: The prospective non randomised placebo controlled dose range study was conducted in the Department of Anaesthesiology, at a tertiary care institute at Srinagar, Jammu and Kashmir, India, over a period of two years from July 2017 to June 2019. Eighty female patients (age 40-65 years, American Society of Anaesthesiologists (ASA) I and II) scheduled for total abdominal hysterectomy were divided into four groups (Groups A, B, C and D) on the basis of dexamethasone dose. Group A with low dose (0.1 mg/kg), group B with intermediate dose (0.12-2 mg/ kg), group C with high dose (&gt;0.2 mg/Kg) and group D with no dexamethasone. Early and late acute postoperative pain {Visual Analog Scale (VAS) score}, cumulative analgesic consumption upto 24 hours, intraoperative blood sugar levels, Postoperative Nausea and Vomiting (PONV), and adverse events were recorded. Analysis of variance (ANOVA) was used for intergroup comparison of means and Chi-square test was used for categorical variables. Results: The mean age (years) of group A was 52.3±8.87, group B was 48.3±5.23, group C was 49.8±6.85 and group D was 51.7±4.46. Postoperative VAS score for 0 hour, 1 hour, 2 hour, 3 hour, 4 hour was more in patients who had not received dexamethasone pre-emptively (p-value &lt;0.05). VAS score at 6 hour, 12 hour, 24 hour was more in patients who had not received dexamethasone pre- emptively. There was a statistically significant difference in VAS score at 6, 12, 24 hours when low dose dexamethasone group was compared with intermediate and high dose dexamethasone groups (p-value &lt;0.05). Rescue analgesia consumption was significantly less in patients who received intermediate to high dose dexamethasone. Blood sugar levels increased significantly in patients receiving dexamethasone, but returned to baseline after 24 hours. The incidence of nausea and vomiting and the need for rescue antiemetic was significantly less in patients receiving dexamethasone (p-value &lt;0.05). The incidence of postoperative adverse effects was not different among these groups (p-value &gt;0.05). Conclusion: Intermediate and high dose dexamethasone, given preoperatively in patients undergoing abdominal hyster-ectomy produces better postoperative analgesia with added antiemetic benefit.

Very low-dose dexamethasone to facilitate extubation of preterm babies at risk of bronchopulmonary dysplasia: the MINIDEX feasibility RCT

BackgroundPostnatal corticosteroids are used to improve lung function and reduce the incidence of bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) in preterm babies. However, corticosteroids may be associated with adverse neurodevelopment. Despite a lack of evidence, some clinicians in the UK use very low-dose regimens of dexamethasone hoping for positive pulmonary effects and optimal neurodevelopment.ObjectivesTo assess the efficacy and safety of very low-dose dexamethasone at facilitating the extubation of ventilator-dependent preterm babies born at &lt; 30 weeks’ gestation and who are at high risk of developing BPD.DesignA multicentre, randomised, masked, parallel-group, placebo-controlled Phase 2b trial. The trial was designed as a feasibility study for a subsequent trial of clinical effectiveness.SettingThe study was set in 11 tertiary neonatal units in the UK.ParticipantsVentilator-dependent preterm babies born at &lt; 30 weeks’ gestation aged 10–21 days, receiving at least 30% inspired oxygen and at high risk of developing BPD. Exclusions were babies who had received previous courses of postnatal steroids for respiratory disease; had a severe congenital anomaly affecting the lungs, heart or central nervous system, or had a surgical abdominal procedure or patent ductus arteriosus ligation; and had an illness or medication for which postnatal corticosteroid would be contraindicated (e.g. confirmed or suspected acute sepsis, acute necrotising enterocolitis/focal intestinal perforation or cyclo-oxygenase therapy).InterventionsBabies were randomised to very low-dose dexamethasone (50 µg/kg/day for 13 doses) or a matched placebo. Samples of blood and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid from a subset of babies randomised at three participating sites were sent for cytokine analysis at randomisation and at days 5, 7, 10 and 14 of treatment.Primary outcomeTime to extubation.Secondary outcomesSecondary outcomes included rates of extubation by day 7 of the intervention; survival to 36 weeks’ postmenstrual age (PMA) or discharge home; respiratory morbidity to 36 weeks’ PMA or discharge home; cytokine profile; safety outcomes; and parent/family experience.ResultsThe main metric of feasibility, namely recruitment, proved difficult. There was a tendency for open-label medication and a higher than predicted rate of suspected/confirmed sepsis among babies. Recruitment was halted after 22 babies had been enrolled. It was found that, compared with the placebo group, a higher proportion of babies were extubated at day 7 of life [5/8 (62.5%) in the very low-dose dexamethasone group vs. 2/6 (33.3%) in the placebo group] and duration of invasive ventilation was lower (a median of 23 days for the very low-dose dexamethasone group vs. a median of 31 days for the placebo group) in the very low-dose dexamethasone group. This is supported by a trend for an increased requirement for open-label rescue steroids in control group babies (41.7% in the very low-dose dexamethasone group vs. 80% in the placebo group). Given the limited sample size, only descriptive statistics can be given; firm conclusions cannot be drawn.LimitationsSmall sample size and high rates of open-label treatment use.ConclusionsIt is not feasible to conduct the required pragmatic trial of clinical effectiveness.Future workAssessment of very low-dose dexamethasone in this patient group requires careful consideration.Study registrationClinical Controlled Trials ISRCTN81191607.FundingThis project was funded by the Efficacy and Mechanism Evaluation (EME) programme, a Medical Research Council and National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) partnership. The report will be published in full inEfficacy and Mechanism; Vol. 6, No. 8. See the NIHR Journals Library website for further project information. The funding for the cytokine analysis is provided by the Children’s Charity Cerebra and is being carried out beyond the lifespan of the NIHR funding.

Low-dose dexamethasone with fosaprepitant and palonosetron to prevent cisplatin-induced nausea and vomiting in head and neck cancer patients

Objective: To determine if a lower dose of dexamethasone can be used in combination with fosaprepitant and palonosetron for cisplatin-induced nausea and vomiting in head and neck cancer patients, we conducted a single-center, two-arm, cross-over comparison study.Methods: Patients were randomly assigned to either standard dose dexamethasone group: intravenous 9.9 mg on day 1 and 6.6 mg on days 2–4 or low-dose dexamethasone group: intravenous 3.3 mg on days 1–4 for the first course and crossed over to the other treatment for the second course. The primary endpoint was complete response (CR) in the overall period.Results: Twenty-five patients were screened for the study and 22 were evaluable. Eleven patients were randomly assigned to the standard dose dexamethasone group and 12 patients to the low-dose dexamethasone group. The CR rate in the overall period was 86% in the standard dose group and 73% in the low-dose group, showing no significant difference (p = .61).Conclusion: The efficacy of low-dose dexamethasone with fosaprepitant and palonosetron was not inferior to that of the standard dose dexamethasone in the highly emetogenic cisplatin-based treatment for head and neck cancer patients.

Ultrasound-guided single injection transversus abdominis plane block of isobaric bupivacaine with or without dexamethasone for bariatric patients undergoing laparoscopic vertical banded gastroplasty: a comparative study of different doses

Background Dexamethasone has anti-inflammatory properties that can prolong postoperative analgesia when added to isobaric bupivacaine transversus abdominis plane (TAP) block for bariatric patients undergoing laparoscopic vertical banded gastroplasty. Patients and methods A total of 111 bariatric patients, scheduled for laparoscopic vertical banded gastroplasty under ultrasound-guided TAP block, were randomized blindly into three parallel groups: Group BC that received TAP block using 20 ml of isobaric bupivacaine hydrochloride 0.25%+2 ml saline 0.9%; low-dose dexamethasone group (Group DB4) that received TAP block using 20 ml of isobaric bupivacaine hydrochloride 0.25%+4 mg dexamethasone; and high-dose dexamethasone group (Group DB8) that received TAP block using 20 ml of isobaric bupivacaine hydrochloride 0.25%+8 mg dexamethasone. Results Postoperatively, pain scores were significantly lower in Group BD4 and Group BD8 compared with Group BC at rest and on movement at 6, 8, 12, and 24 h. There was a significant difference with respect to the duration of analgesia ( P = 0.0001), 24 h consumption of paracetamol ( P = 0.0001), 24 h consumption of meperidine hydrochloride ( P = 0.001), the number of patients who needed meperidine hydrochloride rescue analgesic ( P = 0.008), time to ambulation ( P = 0.0001), and incidence of postoperative nausea and/or vomiting ( P = 0.03) among groups. Conclusion Adding dexamethasone (4 or 8 mg) to isobaric bupivacaine TAP block reduces postoperative pain, reduces analgesic requirement, and promotes early ambulation in bariatric patients undergoing laparoscopic vertical banded gastroplasty in comparison with isobaric bupivacaine TAP block alone.

Pomalidomide plus low-dose dexamethasone versus high-dose dexamethasone alone for patients with relapsed and refractory multiple myeloma (MM-003): a randomised, open-label, phase 3 trial

Few effective treatments exist for patients with refractory or relapsed and refractory multiple myeloma not responding to treatment with bortezomib and lenalidomide. Pomalidomide alone has shown limited efficacy in patients with relapsed multiple myeloma, but synergistic effects have been noted when combined with dexamethasone. We compared the efficacy and safety of pomalidomide plus low-dose dexamethasone with high-dose dexamethasone alone in these patients. This multicentre, open-label, randomised phase 3 trial was undertaken in Australia, Canada, Europe, Russia, and the USA. Patients were eligible if they had been diagnosed with refractory or relapsed and refractory multiple myeloma, and had failed at least two previous treatments of bortezomib and lenalidomide. They were assigned in a 2:1 ratio with a validated interactive voice and internet response system to either 28 day cycles of pomalidomide (4 mg/day on days 1-21, orally) plus low-dose dexamethasone (40 mg/day on days 1, 8, 15, and 22, orally) or high-dose dexamethasone (40 mg/day on days 1-4, 9-12, and 17-20, orally) until disease progression or unacceptable toxicity. Stratification factors were age (≤75 years vs >75 years), disease population (refractory vs relapsed and refractory vs bortezomib intolerant), and number of previous treatments (two vs more than two). The primary endpoint was progression-free survival (PFS). Analysis was by intention to treat. This trial is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, number NCT01311687, and with EudraCT, number 2010-019820-30. The accrual for the study has been completed and the analyses are presented. 302 patients were randomly assigned to receive pomalidomide plus low-dose dexamethasone and 153 high-dose dexamethasone. After a median follow-up of 10·0 months (IQR 7·2-13·2), median PFS with pomalidomide plus low-dose dexamethasone was 4·0 months (95% CI 3·6-4·7) versus 1·9 months (1·9-2·2) with high-dose dexamethasone (hazard ratio 0·48 [95% CI 0·39-0·60]; p<0·0001). The most common grade 3-4 haematological adverse events in the pomalidomide plus low-dose dexamethasone and high-dose dexamethasone groups were neutropenia (143 [48%] of 300 vs 24 [16%] of 150, respectively), anaemia (99 [33%] vs 55 [37%], respectively), and thrombocytopenia (67 [22%] vs 39 [26%], respectively). Grade 3-4 non-haematological adverse events in the pomalidomide plus low-dose dexamethasone and high-dose dexamethasone groups included pneumonia (38 [13%] vs 12 [8%], respectively), bone pain (21 [7%] vs seven [5%], respectively), and fatigue (16 [5%] vs nine [6%], respectively). There were 11 (4%) treatment-related adverse events leading to death in the pomalidomide plus low-dose dexamethasone group and seven (5%) in the high-dose dexamethasone group. Pomalidomide plus low-dose dexamethasone, an oral regimen, could be considered a new treatment option in patients with refractory or relapsed and refractory multiple myeloma. Celgene Corporation.

Lenalidomide plus high-dose dexamethasone versus lenalidomide plus low-dose dexamethasone as initial therapy for newly diagnosed multiple myeloma: an open-label randomised controlled trial

High-dose dexamethasone is a mainstay of therapy for multiple myeloma. We studied whether low-dose dexamethasone in combination with lenalidomide is non-inferior to and has lower toxicity than high-dose dexamethasone plus lenalidomide. Patients with untreated symptomatic myeloma were randomly assigned in this open-label non-inferiority trial to lenalidomide 25 mg on days 1-21 plus dexamethasone 40 mg on days 1-4, 9-12, and 17-20 of a 28-day cycle (high dose), or lenalidomide given on the same schedule with dexamethasone 40 mg on days 1, 8, 15, and 22 of a 28-day cycle (low dose). After four cycles, patients could discontinue therapy to pursue stem-cell transplantation or continue treatment until disease progression. The primary endpoint was response rate after four cycles assessed with European Group for Blood and Bone Marrow Transplant criteria. The non-inferiority margin was an absolute difference of 15% in response rate. Analysis was by modified intention to treat. This trial is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, number NCT00098475. 445 patients were randomly assigned: 223 to high-dose and 222 to low-dose regimens. 169 (79%) of 214 patients receiving high-dose therapy and 142 (68%) of 205 patients on low-dose therapy had complete or partial response within four cycles (odds ratio 1.75, 80% CI 1.30-2.32; p=0.008). However, at the second interim analysis at 1 year, overall survival was 96% (95% CI 94-99) in the low-dose dexamethasone group compared with 87% (82-92) in the high-dose group (p=0.0002). As a result, the trial was stopped and patients on high-dose therapy were crossed over to low-dose therapy. 117 patients (52%) on the high-dose regimen had grade three or worse toxic effects in the first 4 months, compared with 76 (35%) of the 220 on the low-dose regimen for whom toxicity data were available (p=0.0001), 12 of 222 on high dose and one of 220 on low-dose dexamethasone died in the first 4 months (p=0.003). The three most common grade three or higher toxicities were deep-vein thrombosis, 57 (26%) of 223 versus 27 (12%) of 220 (p=0.0003); infections including pneumonia, 35 (16%) of 223 versus 20 (9%) of 220 (p=0.04), and fatigue 33 (15%) of 223 versus 20 (9%) of 220 (p=0.08), respectively. Lenalidomide plus low-dose dexamethasone is associated with better short-term overall survival and with lower toxicity than lenalidomide plus high-dose dexamethasone in patients with newly diagnosed myeloma. National Cancer Institute, Rockville, MD, USA.

Dexamethasone and the risk for adrenal suppression in multiple myeloma

Dexamethasone and the risk for adrenal suppression in multiple myeloma

Effects of Dexamethasone on Neuromuscular Transmission in a Phrenic Nerve-Hemidiaphragm Preparation in the Rat

Background: MacFarlane and Rosenthal reported a case of acute quadriplegia after nondepolarizing muscular blocking agents in status asthmaticus patient treated with high doses of corticosteroid. Reports regarding the reactions of glucocorticoid treated muscles to neuromuscular blocking agents are sparse and inconsistent. The aims of this study were to examine the degree of muscle atrophy and its effects on sensitivity to neuromuscular blocking agents in relation to the dose and duration of dexamethasone. Methods: Sixty Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into six groups. They were treated daily with dexamethasone 0.4 mg/kg and 4 mg/kg daily for 1 week or 3 weeks. The two control groups were treated with normal saline. The day after treatment, the dose-response curves of vecuronium were measured using a phrenic nerve-hemidiaphragm preparation. To classify muscle fiber, the diaphragm was stained for myofibrillar adenosine triphosphatase after alkaline and acid preincubation, and a morphometric examination was carried out. Results: The diaphragmatic muscle in rats treated with long term, high dose dexamethasone showed significant atrophy. For the short term, low dose dexamethasone group, the ED50 and ED95 of vecuronium decreased 41.5% and 26.8% compared to those of the control group, respectively (P ＜ 0.05). However, the ED50 of vecuronium in the long term, high dose dexamethasone group increased 22.2% compared to that of the control group (P ＜ 0.05). Conclusion: This study suggests that sensitiviy to vecuronium was not modulated by dexamethasone-induced muscle atrophy. Quantitative changes of receptors at the neuromuscular junction or some anoother process might be responsible for this change.

INCREASES IN FUNCTIONAL RESIDUAL CAPACITY (FRC) AT TWO DIFFERENT DOSES OF DEXAMETHASONE IN VERY LOW BIRTH WEIGHT (VLBW) INFANTS: A DOUBLE-BLIND, RANDOMIZED TRIAL. † 1359

We have reported a one week weaning course of 0.5 mg dexamethasone (DEX) in VLBW ventilator dependent infants 7 - 14 days of age to significantly improve pulmonary compliance (as well as subsequent CLD) when compared to controls(Pediatrics 1995; 95: 584-90). The effect of two different dose regimes of DEX on lung volume in VLBW infants at risk for CLD has not been reported. As part of an ongoing study, we measured FRC and static pulmonary mechanics (PM) in 21 infants ≤ 1000 g ventilator dependent at 7 - 14 days with a randomized, double-blind study design. Ten infants (mean BW=785 g, GA=25.7 wks, 70% male, 50% Caucasian, FIO2 at entry = 0.48, mean airway pressure (MAP) = 7.1 cmH2O) received high dose DEX (0.5mg/kg/day × 3 days; 0.25 mg/kg/day × 3 days; 0.1 mg/kg/day × 1 day) while 11 infants (mean BW=714 g, GA=25.5 wks, 64% male, 45% Caucasian, FIO2 at entry = 0.48, MAP=8.2 cm H2O received low dose DEX (0.2 mg/kg/day × 3 days; 0.1 mg/kg/day × 4 days). FRC and PM were measured at similar ventilator settings before and on days 2, 5, and 7 of DEX. FRC was measured with the nitrogen washout technique. A minimum of 2 measurements were performed with the neonate supine and quiet. Only consistent tracings initiated at end expiration and without evidence of leak were accepted. A study was acceptable if the measurements had a coefficient of variation < 10%. Respiratory compliance (Crs) was measured using the single breath occlusion technique (SensorMedics 2600). FRC is shown as ml/kg and Crs as ml/cm H2O/kg. Both groups had a significant decrease in FIO2 and MAP by day 7 of therapy (p<0.05). Although the increase is more gradual in the low dose DEX group, both high and low dose DEX had significant increases in FRC and Crs by day 7. However, the high dose DEX group had a 129% increase in FRC, while low dose DEX increased FRC by 43% (p<0.05). We speculate that this statistically significant increase in FRC with high DEX versus low DEX will also prove to be clinically significant, and supports a short course of the high dose as more effective than the low dose for infants at risk for CLD.Table