Impact of the Administration of Fludrocortisone in Very Premature Infants (MINIPREM)

Impact of the Administration of Fludrocortisone on Fluid and Electrolyte Balance in Very Premature Infants: Pilot Study

Water and electrolytic homeostasis is remarkably controlled by the mineralocorticoid pathway (renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system acting on the renal tubule). However, the neonatal period in humans is characterized by a reduced ability of the kidney to ensure normal functions of urine concentration and maintenance of sodium and water balance. This renal functional immaturity, is associated in the very premature infants (VPT) (born <32 weeks of amenorrhea (SA)) to an immaturity of the adrenal responsible for a default of aldosterone biosynthesis . This relative aldosterone deficiency induces difficulties for VPT to adapt to extra-uterine life when maintaining a positive sodium balance is essential for postnatal growth. The improvement of perinatal care (antenatal corticosteroids maturation, ventilation techniques and use of surfactant) have increased the survival of these children . Nevertheless, extreme prematurity (less than 32 weeks), which concerns nearly 2% of live births in France, remains associated with neurodevelopmental sequelae in nearly 40% of children at 5 years . Secondary hydroelectrolytic disorders with transient mineralocorticoid adrenal insufficiency is probably one of the factors responsible of these neurological deleterious outcomes as well as the occurrence of other complications (bronchopulmonary dysplasia, enterocolitis necrotizing) of extreme prematurity. Indeed, aside from the administration of antenatal steroids to induce maturation, the prevention of postnatal dehydration reduces the risk of intracranial hemorrhage in that population. However, high fluid intake are associated with an increased incidence of patent ductus arteriosus, of bronchopulmonary dysplasia and necrotizing enterocolitis. This necessitates the evaluation of preventive measures to avoid such fluid and electrolyte imbalances by a pharmacological approach based on mineralocorticoid administration in very premature infants, due to the relative aldosterone deficiency identified in this population.

Extreme prematurity affects about 2% of births per year in France and is subject to a significant morbidity and mortality. It is likely that the fluid and electrolyte imbalances associated with mineralocorticoid adrenal insufficiency transient observed in this population of vulnerable newborns contribute to the occurrence of complications that will influence the prognosis medium and long term these children. The expected impact of our pilot study is a direct benefit to the patient, with reduced kidney soda losses from the 3rd day of life and throughout the first week of life (assessed by a non-invasive method: urine collection to compress and measurement of urinary Na / creatinine). This physiological approach (substitution of the deficient hormone) allow better control of sodium and water balance. This could limit a number of common complications of extreme prematurity, occurring in the first weeks of life, such as patent ductus arteriosus, intra-ventricular hemorrhage and bronchopulmonary dysplasia. The administration of glucocorticoids during the postnatal period (with action both glucocorticoid and mineralocorticoid) enables a reduction in the incidence of bronchopulmonary dysplasia severe. However, such treatment is associated with an increased incidence of neurodevelopmental effects related to activation of the glucocorticoid pathway. Using a specific mineralocorticoid agonist should preserve the beneficial effects without the adverse effects observed. The results of this pilot study will in a second time to consider a clinical trial Phase III national or international evaluating the significant reduction of these complications after substitution by Fludrocortisone the first week of life in the great premature. These results should have a major medical and economic impact. Indeed, neonatal morbidity indicators (intraventricular hemorrhage, patent ductus arteriosus, bronchopulmonary dysplasia and enterocolitis necrotizing) are associated with the subsequent development of neurodevelopmental sequelae (cerebral palsy and / or cognitive impairment) at the age of two and five years.

Oral Fludrocortisone (enteral) at a dose of 10 mcg 2 times daily (every 12 hours) for 8 days from day 1 (first administration between H24 and H30, and then every 12 hours) until day 8.

Oral placebo (enteral) at a dose of 10 mcg 2 times daily (every 12 hours) for 8 days from day 1 (first administration between H24 and H30, and then every 12 hours) until day 8.

Oral Fludrocortisone (enteral) at a dose of 10 mcg 2 times daily (every 12 hours) for 8 days from day 1 (first administration between H24 and H30, and then every 12 hours) until day 8.

oral placebo (enteral) at a dose of 10 mcg 2 times daily (every 12 hours) for 8 days from day 1 (first administration between H24 and H30, and then every 12 hours) until day 8.

Measurement of Na / urinary creatinine ratio at day 3 (evaluating the efficacity of Fludrocortisone action on the kidney by lowering sodium losses, that are very high in very premature infants) by collection of a urinary spot collected on a gauze compress, placed in the diaper of the newborn.

Measurement of Na / urinary creatinine ratio at day 1, 5, 8, 10 and 15 (evaluating the efficacity of Fludrocortisone action on the kidney by lowering sodium losses, that are very high in very premature infants) by collection of a urinary spot collected on a gauze compress, placed in the diaper of the newborn.

From day1 to day8, at day10, at day15, at one month, three month, six month, twelve month and at 36 PCW

Inclusion Criteria: Very premature newborns defined by a gestational age <32 and ≥ 26 gestational weeks Eutrophic: birth weight between the 10th and 90th percentile of the French reference curves Absence of malformations or chromosomal abnormality identified Lack of adrenal, pituitary or gonadal diseases diagnosed prior birth Lack of participation in another research protocol "Inborn": born and hospitalized in the four neonatology departments participating in the study Informed consent of the holders of parental authority Exclusion criteria: Maternal treatment prior to pregnancy: systemic or inhaled corticosteroids, hormone therapy for adrenal or pituitary insufficiency, antihypertensive treatment (calcium channel blockers, beta blockers, angiotensin) Lack or incomplete treatment of antenatal glucocorticoids (betamethasone)