Prophylactic Steroids During Infant Cardiac Surgery ― Are They Beneficial?

The use of steroids perioperatively in pediatric cardiac surgeries has always been a cause of concern. A recent trial on infants indicated for cardiopulmonary bypass surgery assessed the benefits of prophylactic steroids in reducing the incidence of postoperative complications.

A total of 1200 infants were randomly assigned to two groups, one receiving methylprednisolone (30 mg/kg of body weight introduced into the cardiopulmonary-bypass pump-priming fluid) and the other, a placebo, and the effect of perioperative administration of steroids on reducing the risk of adverse postoperative outcomes was assessed. Key findings Methylprednisolone did not significantly reduce the risk of complications, and the babies postoperatively developed hyperglycemia and required insulin therapy for the same; 19% of participants using steroids required insulin therapy, compared to 8% in the placebo…