Hydrocortisone Treatment of Hypotension in Term and Late Preterm Infants: An Observational Study

This observational study collected information on the incidence and management of hypotension in babies born at term or late preterm that were admitted to Neonatal Intensive Care Units (NICUs) within the Neonatal Research Network (NRN). Participants included all newborn infants born at 34 0/7 weeks gestation or greater who were admitted to NICU Network centers and intubated and mechanically ventilated at less than 72 hours of age. The information gathered provided a framework for the design of a potential randomized controlled trial for the treatment of hypotension in neonates. This observational study was for a time-limited enrollment period; NRN centers enrolled until at least 50 patients were enrolled per center (for 800-1,000 subjects total). More than half of the infants (N=419) met at least one definition of cardiovascular insufficiency (CVI). However, almost half of the treated infants met none of the definitions. Inotropic therapy was associated with increased mortality.