Abstract
Objective: To evaluate the effectiveness of single dose antenatal betamethasone on the neonatal outcome of preterm infants.Patients and Methods: Details of preterm infants born between 24-34 weeks' gestational age between March 1, 2001 and July 31, 2006 were collected via chart review. The premature infants enrolled were divided into two groups: infants whose mothers received 12 mg of betamethasone once before delivery were classified as the single dose antenatal betamethasone (SAB) group and those without exposure to antenatal corticosteroids were categorized as the control group. The gestational age, birth body weight, neonatal outcome, and requirement of oxygen and mechanical ventilation were analyzed.Results: One hundred and thirty four premature infants were enrolled, with 33 infants classified as the SAB group and 101 infants as the control group. The requirement for surfactants and vasopressors was significantly lower in the SAB group. Logistic regression adjusted for gestational age and birth body weight still revealed the same effects.Conclusion: SAB can reduce the need for surfactants and vasopressors in premature infants born at 24-34 weeks' gestational age. Obstetricians should not hesitate to prescribe antenatal corticosteroids even if completion of the standard treatment course is not feasible.
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