Conclusion
This systematic review found that administration of ACS is not
associated with long-term effects on blood pressure in exposed human
offspring. The effects on cardiac structure and other measures of
cardiac function were unclear due to study heterogeneity mixed quality.
Given the widespread use of ACS and the emerging preclinical evidence
that ACS exposure compromises cardiac development, ascertaining their
potential direct long-term effects on cardiovascular structure and
function in exposed children should be a clinical priority going
forward. We would therefore recommend further clinical research on the
effects of ACS specifically on cardiac function in children both born
preterm and at term.