In vitro effect of dexamethasone phosphate on hematopoietic progenitor cells in preterm infants

Abstract

The in vitro effect of dexamethasone on the clonal growth of haematopoietic progenitors in preterm infants was investigated. Concentrations of 106M to 109M were associated with a dose dependent inhibition of colony formation, with the most clinically important effects seen on the earliest erythroid and granulocyte-macrophage colonies. Because of the potential clinical implications of these observations, studies are needed to determine the effects of dexamethasone on haematopoiesis in preterm infants.