MRFF funding for the C*STEROID trial

We are very pleased to share the exciting news that Associate Professor Joanne Said from the Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology and her collaborators have been awarded over $2M funding through the MFRR  International Clinical Trials Collaborations initiative for the C*STEROID trial. The New Zealand arm of the trial has already commenced recruitment under the leadership of Associate Professor Katie Groom. Recruitment will commence at over 10 Australian sites later this year.

Controversy has surrounded the use of corticosteroids prior to planned elective caesarean section in the late preterm and term period for some time. Current Australian guidelines recommend the use of corticosteroids when preterm birth is expected (prior to 34⁺⁶ weeks). Although some trials have suggested beneficial effects of corticosteroids when given prior to planned caesarean section, concerns have been raised about the methodology of some of these trials⁴. Moreover, recent studies have suggested the potential for risks such as neonatal hypoglycaemia⁵ or longer term neurocognitive or behavioural consequences in the children following exposure to antenatal corticosteroids.

C*STEROID is an international, randomised placebo-controlled trial to determine the effect of antenatal corticosteroids on newborn health when given prior to planned caesarean section birth. If proven to be safe and efficacious, this simple intervention has the potential for rapid implementation in Australia, with benefits to the increasing number of babies born by planned caesarean section each year, including reductions in neonatal nursery admissions and improvements in maternal bonding and breastfeeding rates.