Antenatal Betamethasone: A Prolonged Time Interval from Administration to Delivery Is Associated With an Increased Incidence of Severe Intraventricular Hemorrhage in Infants Born Before 28 Weeks’ Gestation

Abstract

(Abstracted from J Pediatr 2016;177:114–120) Studies, including several randomized controlled trials, have reported that neonates exposed to antenatal corticosteroids have reduced incidence of death, respiratory distress syndrome (RDS), and severe grades of intraventricular hemorrhage (IVH). The present study aimed to investigate the effects of antenatal corticosteroids on severe IVH in infants born at less than 28 weeks’ gestation based on the hypothesis that the beneficial effects of antenatal steroids on severe IVH diminish with time in these infants and that retreatment with a second course of antenatal betamethasone (BMZ) can restore its beneficial effects.