STOPPIT-3

This study is a randomised placebo-controlled trial of antenatal corticosteroids for planned birth in twins.

Twins are more likely to be born early than singletons. Some babies may need support with breathing in a Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU). This can mean parents and babies are apart at an important time.

In pregnancies with one baby, steroids are often given before birth to help reduce risks linked to early birth. If steroids are given during pregnancy, they may help the babies’ lungs develop. This may make breathing easier after birth. It may also reduce the need for NICU care, or shorten the time babies need to stay there.

We do not yet know clearly whether steroids work in the same way for twins. Steroids may help with breathing, but researchers also need to understand possible effects on babies’ growth and brain development. There are no clear guidelines for steroid use in twin pregnancy, so hospitals may use different approaches.

The STOPPIT-3 trial was designed to answer these questions. The trial recruited expectant parents from 35 weeks onwards who had a planned birth, either by induction or caesarean section. Participants were randomised to receive either steroids or a placebo. Researchers then planned to follow the babies after birth and into childhood. This would help build a clearer picture of how steroids may affect development.

Unfortunately, the study team could not recruit enough participants to draw conclusions that could change clinical practice. There may be several reasons for this. The team is now speaking with midwives, doctors and participants to better understand the recruitment challenges. They also want to identify lessons that could help future studies.

Although recruitment has ended, the STOPPIT-3 study is still continuing. The team will follow the children already in the study until they are two years old.

You can read more about why recruitment closed early and what happens next on the STOPPIT-3 website: https://stoppitstudy.co.uk/we-closed-early-to-recruitment-why/

This study is led by Dr Sarah Murray at the University of Edinburgh. Twins Trust has supported the study by helping connect parents with the study team, so parents could help shape how the study was designed and run.

For more information about STOPPIT-3, and to see the results when they are published, visit www.stoppitstudy.co.uk or follow the study on X at @stoppit3study.