Endocrine Abstracts

Background: Foetus is protected from high quantities of steroids by placental enzyme 11BHSD2. It converts steroids to inactive form (dexamethasone and betamethasone are exceptions). Exposure to high steroids for long time could saturate the enzyme. Maternal steroid use carries a theoretical risk for neonatal adrenal insufficiency (AI). The evidence remains controversial and most NICUs don’t check for AI in those infants. Two units in south Yorkshire recom...