Hydrocortisone for BPD

A Randomized Controlled Trial of the Effect of Hydrocortisone on Survival Without Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia and on Neurodevelopmental Outcomes at 22 - 26 Months of Age in Intubated Infants < 30 Weeks Gestation Age

National Center for Research Resources (NCRR), Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD), National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI), National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences (NCATS)

The Hydrocortisone and Extubation study will test the safety and efficacy of a 10 day course of hydrocortisone for infants who are less than 30 weeks estimated gestational age and who are intubated at 14-28 days of life. Infants will be randomized to receive hydrocortisone or placebo. This study will determine if hydrocortisone improves infants'survival without moderate or severe BPD and will be associated with improvement in survival without moderate or severe neurodevelopmental impairment at 22 - 26 months corrected age.

Bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) remains a leading morbidity of the extremely preterm infant, and prolonged mechanical ventilation is associated with increased risk for BPD. Dexamethasone has been used previously to facilitate extubation and decrease the incidence of BPD; however, due to adverse effects on neurodevelopmental outcomes, the use of this drug has decreased. One cohort study suggests that hydrocortisone (HC) may facilitate extubation. HC has thus far not been associated with adverse neurodevelopmental outcomes in either cohort studies or randomized controlled trials. A recent meta-analysis of postnatal corticosteroid therapy begun after the first week of life suggested that "late therapy may reduce neonatal mortality without significantly increasing the risk of adverse long-term neurodevelopmental outcomes," although the methodological quality of some of the follow-up was acknowledged to be limited. This is a randomized controlled trial to study the efficacy and safety of a 10-day tapering course of hydrocortisone treatment for infants <30 weeks estimated gestational age at birth who remain intubated at 14 - 28 days postnatal age. Based on previous Network data these criteria define a population with a risk of death or BPD at 36 weeks postmenstrual age of approximately 65 - 75%. The primary outcome for this study will incorporate both (1) survival without moderate to severe BPD by Network physiologic definition and (2) survival without moderate or severe NDI at 18 - 22 months corrected age. Therefore, the results of this study will be reported only when follow-up data are available unless (1) the trial is stopped early by the DSMC because of strong evidence of benefit or harm, or (2) at the time all subjects have completed treatment the DCC finds a substantial survival benefit favoring hydrocortisone (p<0.001). Individual study assignment will remain masked until the follow-up is completed. Secondary outcomes will include short term measures such as respiratory morbidities and growth at 36 weeks postmenstrual age and long term measures including growth and other outcomes at 22 - 26 months corrected age. Secondary studies include: Effect of Hydrocortisone on the Cardiac mass of Premature Intubated Infants - will determine left ventricular mass index at 36 weeks postmenstrual age (or prior to discharge/transfer if after 34 weeks) in infants enrolled in the hydrocortisone for BPD RCT, and compare HC-treated infants to placebo-treated infants. It will similarly assess and compare the incidence of pulmonary hypertension in these patients. Extended follow-up: Subjects will be seen for a follow-up visit at 5-6 years corrected age to assess functional developmental and respiratory outcomes at early school age. In a subset of five Neonatal Research Network Clinical Centers, impulse oscillometry (IOS), which is the optimal direct measure of lung capacity and function, will be performed to validate the 6-minute walk test and International Study of Asthma and Allergies in Childhood (ISAAC) questionnaire as functional measures of pulmonary status. Also at these five Centers, the six minute walk test, ISAAAC questionnaire, and IOS will be administered as part of (1) the Healthy Lungs sub-study, which will recruit 120 TOP 5 study participants who had minimal lung disease when they were infants to define normative ranges in healthy, preterm-born children, and (2) the Healthy Lungs Two sub-study, which will recruit 120 healthy, term-born children without history of lung disease to characterize functional and mechanical respiratory outcomes at 5-7 years of age.

Infant, Newborn, Infant, Small for Gestational Age, Infant, Very Low Birth Weight, Infant, Premature, Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia

NICHD Neonatal Research Network, Extremely Low Birth Weight (ELBW), Very Low Birth Weight (VLBW), Prematurity, Mechanical ventilation, Intubation, Neurodevelopmental impairment

hydrocortisone sodium succinate for intravenous administration (unpreserved, Solu-Cortef plain, Pfizer®, reconstituted with unpreserved normal saline to avoid exposure to the benzyl alcohol contained in preserved diluents)

Hydrocortisone sodium succinate for intravenous administration (unpreserved, Solu-Cortef plain, Pfizer®, reconstituted with unpreserved normal saline to avoid exposure to the benzyl alcohol contained in preserved diluents), to be administered either intravenously or orally if no intravenous line is available at the same dose, and tapered as follows: 4mg/kg/day ¸ q 6 hours x 2 days, then 2mg/kg/day ¸ q 6 hours x 3 days; then 1mg/kg/day ¸ q 12 hours x 3 days; then 0.5mg/kg/d as a single dose x 2 days

Saline placebo to be administered either intravenously or orally if no intravenous line is available, at the same dose, and tapered as follows: 4mg/kg/day ¸ q 6 hours x 2 days, then 2mg/kg/day ¸ q 6 hours x 3 days; then 1mg/kg/day ¸ q 12 hours x 3 days; then 0.5mg/kg/d as a single dose x 2 days

Survival without moderate or severe physiologic BPD at 36 weeks postmenstrual age. Moderate or severe physiologic BPD is defined as a requirement for supplemental oxygen and/or positive airway pressure to maintain oxygen saturation greater than 90 percent. A room air challenge was performed for infants estimated to be receiving less than 0.30 FiO2 by nasal cannula.

Survival without moderate or severe neurodevelopmental impairment (NDI) at 22-26 months corrected age. NDI is defined as defined as any of: Bayley Scales of Infant and Toddler Development-III (Bayley-III) cognitive composite score less than 85 (standardized mean 100, SD 15, range 55-145) or motor composite score less than 85 (standardized mean 100, range 45-155) (lower scores indicating greater impairment), Gross Motor Function Classification System (GMFCS) level greater than or equal to II (on a scale from level I to V; I=normal and progressively higher levels indicate greater impairment), severe vision impairment in both eyes (consistent with refraction from less than 20 to 200), or bilateral hearing impairment with or without amplification (by report).

Successful extubation during the intervention period, defined as remaining extubated for greater than or equal to 1 week, including greater than or equal to 3 days after the last dose of study medication. An extubation attempt was required after 72 hours of study drug and 24 hours after meeting the following: FiO2 less than 0.40 to maintain a saturation of greater than or equal to 88 percent, mean airway pressure less than 8 cm H2O, and hemodynamically stable in the opinion of the clinical team.

From day of randomization to Neonatal Research Network NRN infant status i.e., the first occurring of: discharge home, death, transfer, or 120 days following birth

BPD grade at 36 weeks postmenstrual age. BPD grades are defined as: 1. No support/room air; 2. Nasal cannula (NC) O2 less than or equal to 2L; 3. NC O2 greater than 2L or CPAP/NIPPV; 4. Invasive PPV

Number of days on mechanical ventilation (using high frequency ventilator or conventional ventilator)

From birth to Neonatal Research Network NRN infant status i.e., the first occurring of: discharge home, death, transfer, or 120 days following birth

Severity of neurodevelopmental impairment, defined as one or more of: Bayley Scales of Infant Development-III (Bayley-III) cognitive score <85 (standardized mean 100, SD 15, range 55-145), Bayley-III motor score <85 (standardized mean 100, range 45-155), Gross Motor Function Classification System (GMFCS) level ≥2, severe vision impairment in both eyes (consistent with refraction <20-200), or bilateral hearing impairment with or without amplification (by report). Bayley-III = Bayley Scales of Infant Development III (Cognitive score standardized mean 100, SD 15, range 55-145 motor score standardized mean 100, range 45-155; higher score indicates better performance (20))

Number of infants with Gross Motor Function Classification System (GMFCS) level greater than or equal to II (on a scale from level I to V; I=normal and progressively higher levels indicate greater impairment)

Number of infants with moderate or severe grade of cerebral palsy. Cerebral Palsy was diagnosed when there were definite abnormalities observed in the neuromotor exam, and functional challenges as classified by GMFCS level, and classified as moderate if GMFCS level was II or III and severe if level IV or V (40).

Number of infants with severe vision impairment in both eyes (consistent with refraction less than 20-200)

This is measured as the weight Z-score at 36 weeks postmenstrual age. The Z-score is derived using Fenton growth curves, and follows a standardized normal distribution with a mean 0. A z-score of 0 designates average weight, and negative scores denote less than average weight.

This is measured as the weight Z-score at 22-26 months corrected age. The Z-score is determined using the WHO weight-for-age chart, and is derived from a standardized normal distribution, where 0 designates average weight-for-age, and negative scores denote less than average weight-for-age.

This is measured as the length Z-score at 36 weeks postmenstrual age. The Z-score is derived using Fenton growth curves, and follows a standardized normal distribution with a mean 0. A z-score of 0 designates average length, and negative scores denote less than average length.

This is measured as the length Z-score at 22-26 months corrected age. The Z-score is determined using the WHO length-for-age chart, and is derived from a standardized normal distribution, where 0 designates average length-for-age, and negative scores denote less than average length-for-age.

This is measured as the head circumference Z-score at 36 weeks postmenstrual age. The Z-score is derived using Fenton growth curves, and follows a standardized normal distribution with a mean 0. A z-score of 0 designates average head circumference, and negative scores denote less than average head circumference.

This is measured as the head circumference Z-score at 22-26 months corrected age. The Z-score is determined using the WHO head circumference-for-age chart, and is derived from a standardized normal distribution, where 0 designates average head circumference-for-age, and negative scores denote less than average head circumference-for-age.

BPD grade at 40 weeks postmenstrual age. BPD grades are defined as: 1. No support/room air; 2. Nasal cannula (NC) O2 less than or equal to 2L; 3. NC O2 greater than 2L or CPAP/NIPPV; 4. Invasive PPV

Number of days on mechanical ventilation (using high frequency ventilator or conventional ventilator) up to status

From birth to Neonatal Research Network NRN infant status i.e., the first occurring of: discharge home, death, transfer, or 120 days following birth

From postnatal day 15 to 36 weeks post menstrual age or Neonatal Research Network NRN infant status i.e., the first occurring of: discharge home, death, transfer, or 120 days following birth

Duration of Non-invasive Positive Pressure Ventilation (PPV) (Nasal IPPV/CPAP) After Postnatal Day 14

From postnatal day 15 to 36 weeks post menstrual age or Neonatal Research Network NRN infant status i.e., the first occurring of: discharge home, death, transfer, or 120 days following birth

From birth to Neonatal Research Network NRN infant status i.e., the first occurring of: discharge home, death, transfer, or 120 days following birth

From birth to Neonatal Research Network NRN infant status i.e., the first occurring of: discharge home, death, transfer, or 120 days following birth

Number of infants diagnosed with ROP stage 3 or worse in either eye. ROP stage 3 or worse is determined based on the extent of extraretinal fibrovascular proliferation. Higher stages of ROP indicate a worse outcome; the stages range from 1 for "mild" disease, to 5 for "severe" disease.

From birth to Neonatal Research Network NRN infant status i.e., the first occurring of: discharge home, death, transfer, or 120 days following birth

From birth to Neonatal Research Network NRN infant status i.e., the first occurring of: discharge home, death, transfer, or 120 days following birth

Number of infants with severe IVH, grade 3 or 4. Severity of IVH is hierarchical. Grade 3 occurs when the ventricular size is enlarged and blood/echodensity is in the ventricle. Grade 4 occurs when blood/echodensity is in the parenchyma.

From birth to Neonatal Research Network NRN infant status i.e., the first occurring of: discharge home, death, transfer, or 120 days following birth

From birth to Neonatal Research Network NRN infant status i.e., the first occurring of: discharge home, death, transfer, or 120 days following birth

Number of infants with NDI. NDI is defined as defined as any of: Bayley Scales of Infant and Toddler Development-III (Bayley-III) cognitive composite score less than 85 (standardized mean 100, SD 15, range 55-145) or motor composite score less than 85 (standardized mean 100, range 45-155) (lower scores indicating greater impairment), Gross Motor Function Classification System (GMFCS) level greater than or equal to II (on a scale from level I to V; I=normal and progressively higher levels indicate greater impairment), severe vision impairment in both eyes (consistent with refraction less than 20-200), or bilateral hearing impairment with or without amplification (by report).

Number of Participants With a Bayley Scales of Infant Development (BSID) Cognitive Composite Score Less Than 85

Number of infants with a BSID-III cognitive composite score less than 85. (standardized mean 100, SD 15, range 55-145). Higher scores indicate better performance. Composite BSID-III scores of less than 85 are less than 1 standard deviation below the mean of 100.

Number of Participants With a Bayley Scales of Infant Development (BSID) Cognitive Composite Score Less Than 70

Number of infants with a BSID-III cognitive composite score less than 70. (standardized mean 100, SD 15, range 55-145). Composite BSID-III scores of less than 70 are less than 2 standard deviations below the mean of 100.

Number of Participants With a Bayley Scales of Infant Development (BSID) Motor Composite Score Less Than 85

Number of infants with a BSID-III motor composite score less than 85. (standardized mean 100, SD 15, range 55-145). Composite BSID-III scores of less than 85 are less than 1 standard deviation below the mean of 100.

Number of Participants With a Bayley Scales of Infant Development (BSID) Motor Composite Score Less Than 70

Number of infants with a BSID-III motor composite score less than 70. (standardized mean 100, SD 15, range 55-145). Composite BSID-III scores of less than 70 are less than 2 standard deviations below the mean of 100.

Number of infants with cerebral palsy. Cerebral Palsy was diagnosed when there were definite abnormalities observed in the neuromotor exam, and functional challenges as classified by GMFCS level, and classified as moderate if GMFCS level was II or III and severe if level IV or V (40).

Inclusion Criteria: infants <30 weeks estimated gestational age inborn at an NRN site or were admitted to an NRN site before 72 hours postnatal age have received at least 7days of mechanical ventilation; are receiving mechanical ventilation through an endotracheal tube . Exclusion Criteria: Major congenital anomalies Decision to limit support Indomethacin or ibuprofen treatment within 48 hours of study drug Previous corticosteroid treatment for BPD Received hydrocortisone for 14 or more cumulative days Received hydrocortisone within 7 days of study entry

NIH has had a long-standing policy to share and make available to the public the results and accomplishments of the activities that it funds. The NRN plans to share de-identified data after final publication in an NIH supported data repository such as the NICHD Data and Specimen Hub (https://dash.nichd.nih.gov)

Watterberg KL, Walsh MC, Li L, Chawla S, D'Angio CT, Goldberg RN, Hintz SR, Laughon MM, Yoder BA, Kennedy KA, McDavid GE, Backstrom-Lacy C, Das A, Crawford MM, Keszler M, Sokol GM, Poindexter BB, Ambalavanan N, Hibbs AM, Truog WE, Schmidt B, Wyckoff MH, Khan AM, Garg M, Chess PR, Reynolds AM, Moallem M, Bell EF, Meyer LR, Patel RM, Van Meurs KP, Cotten CM, McGowan EC, Hines AC, Merhar S, Peralta-Carcelen M, Wilson-Costello DE, Kilbride HW, DeMauro SB, Heyne RJ, Mosquera RA, Natarajan G, Purdy IB, Lowe JR, Maitre NL, Harmon HM, Hogden LA, Adams-Chapman I, Winter S, Malcolm WF, Higgins RD; Eunice Kennedy Shriver NICHD Neonatal Research Network. Hydrocortisone to Improve Survival without Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia. N Engl J Med. 2022 Mar 24;386(12):1121-1131. doi: 10.1056/NEJMoa2114897.