A recent study conducted in Auckland, New Zealand, has revealed promising findings regarding the long-term cardiovascular health of individuals whose mothers were administered corticosteroids in a landmark trial 50 years ago. The Auckland Steroid Study, led by Professor Graham ‘Mont’ Liggins and Dr Ross Howie, aimed to mitigate the risk of early birth in pregnant women. The study, conducted between 1969 and 1974, demonstrated that corticosteroid injections significantly reduced neonatal deaths and respiratory distress in babies.

In a follow-up analysis, researchers, including Dr Anthony Walters, examined the health data of 424 individuals born during the original trial. Surprisingly, the study found no evidence of adverse cardiovascular health consequences, pre-diabetes, or diabetes in the now-adult children. These results contradict potential risks identified in animal studies, providing reassurance regarding the safety of corticosteroid use in this context.

Dr Walters emphasized the importance of the study’s implications, stating that despite the potency of steroids and their known side effects, the research dispels concerns about long-term health effects. The findings suggest that the health problems observed in preterm babies as they grow up are not attributed to the corticosteroid treatment received by their mothers.

Professor Dame Jane Harding from the Liggins Institute’s LiFePATH research group highlighted the ongoing efforts to explore the use of steroids in preventing complications during birth. The institute continues to investigate the potential benefits of steroid treatments in reducing birth-related complications, particularly in preventing lung diseases in newborns.

The study forms part of the ANCHOR research programme, which builds upon the original Auckland Steroid Study and the subsequent ACTORDS study. These initiatives aim to further understand the impacts of corticosteroid use in pregnancy and childbirth, providing valuable insights for future medical practices and treatments.