Abstract
Objective:To investigate the effect of antenatal corticosteroid prophylaxis on neonatal respiratory morbidity between 34 and 37 weeks of gestation.Methods:This retrospective study evaluated the neonatal respiratory complications of 683 low risk singleton pregnancies delivered at 34-37 weeks of gestation in a tertiary care center between Jan 2012 and Sept 2015. Group-I (n=294) comprised data of woman who did not receive betamethasone and Group-II(n=396) comprised those who received betamethasone after 34 weeks of gestation for cases at risk of preterm birth. Primary outcome was neonatal respiratory morbidity (NRM). NRM was defined as any respiratory disease that required medical support including supplemental oxygen, nasal continuous positive airway pressure, endotracheal intubation, or exogenous surfactant, with more than 25% oxygen for > 10 minute to maintain neonate oxygen saturation >90% Demographic characteristics, mode of delivery, fetal birth weight and neonatal respiratory complications was compared between the two groups.Results:There was no statistically significant difference for neonatal respiratory morbidity development rate between patients who received betamethasone or those who did not receive it. The incidence of neonatal respiratory morbidity was similar (15.3% in the control group and 14.9% in the intervention group; p=0.88).Conclusion:We found no improvement with betamethasone administration empirically in late preterm birth as regards prevention of Neonatal Respiratory Morbidity(NRM).
Highlights
In current obstetric practice, the use of antenatal corticosteroids in women delivered after 34 weeks of gestation for an obstetric indication still remains controversial
There is no significant difference in the rate of respiratory distress syndrome (RDS), intraventricular bleeding, neonatal death, and neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) stay between the late preterm infants receiving and not receiving antenatal steroids in the literature
Our findings are similar to the triple-blind clinical trial study carried out by Fetiosa Porta et al.[10] who reported that antenatal steroids did not reduce the risk of respiratory disorders of the late preterm infants
Summary
The use of antenatal corticosteroids in women delivered after 34 weeks of gestation for an obstetric indication still remains controversial. Antenatal corticosteroid administration is one of the most effective interventions in perinatal medicine to increase the fetal lung maturation. Antenatal steroids exert their effect via sodium ion channels on the pulmonary epithelium through altered ion secretion. Fetal lung development is complete, serious respiratory problems can be seen even after 34 weeks of gestation.[1] There is no significant difference in the rate of RDS, intraventricular bleeding, neonatal death, and NICU stay between the late preterm infants receiving and not receiving antenatal steroids in the literature
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
