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Objective: The authors performed a randomised trial in very preterm small-for-gestational age (SGA) babies to determine if prophylaxis with granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) improves outcomes (the PROGRAMS trial). Despite increased neutrophil counts following GM-CSF, the authors reported no significant difference in neonatal sepsis-free survival. Patients and methods: 280 babies born <31 weeks of gestation and SGA were entered into the trial. Outcome was determined at 2 years to determine neurodevelopmental and general health outcomes, including economic costs. Results: The authors found no significant differences in health outcomes or health and social care costs between the trial groups. In the GM-CSF arm, 87 of 134 (65%) babies survived to 2 years without severe disability compared with 87 of 131 (66%) controls (RR: 1.0, 95% CI 0.8 to 1.2). Marginally, more children receiving GM-CSF were reported to have cough (RR 1.7, 95% CI 1.1 to 2.6) and had signs of chronic respiratory disease (Harrison's sulcus; RR 2.0, 95% CI 1.0 to 3.9) though this was not reflected in bronchodilator use or need for hospitalisation for respiratory disease. Overall, the rate of neurologic abnormality (7%-9%) was similar but mean overall developmental scores were lower than expected for gestational age. Conclusions: The administration of GM-CSF to very preterm SGA babies is not associated with improved or more adverse outcomes at 2 years of age. The apparent excess of developmental impairment in the entire PROGRAMS cohort, without corresponding increase in neurological abnormality, may represent diffuse brain injury attributable to intrauterine growth restriction.

Original publication

DOI

10.1136/fetalneonatal-2011-301470

Type

Journal article

Journal

Archives of Disease in Childhood: Fetal and Neonatal Edition

Publication Date

01/01/2013

Volume

98