Korean J Perinatol.  1997 Jun;8(2):178-185.

Antenatal Corticosteroid Therapy to Prevent Neonatal Respiratory Distress Syndrome

• Lee KY
• Lee KH
• Kang JB
• Kim HB
• Lee YA
• Kim DH
• Park JT
• Kang SW

Abstract

OBJECTIVES
Our purpose was to determine the efficacy of maternal corticosteroid therapy in the prevention of neonatal respiratory distress syndrome. STUDY DESIGN: The data in this study was taken from 136 women who participated in prematurity prevention programs at two hospital. Of 136 women who were delivered at 25 to 34 weeks, 68 received dexamethasone and 68 did not. 'I'he frequency and relative risk of adverse outcomes, including repiratory distress syndrome, necrotizing enterocolitis, neonatal sepsis and maternal infection wcre compared by means of univariate techniques. RESULT: When dexamethansone was administered, there was a lower incidence of respiratory distress syndrome at between 30 to 32 weeks gestation (relative risk of treatment group vs control group=0.425, p<0.05) and there was no statistical difference between 24 to 26 weeks (relative risk of treatment group vs control group=0.833, p>0.05). I'here was no statistical difference between 33 weeks to 34 weeks (relative risk of treatment group vs control group=0.782, p>0.05). 'I'here was no statistical significance in the incidence of maternal infection, neonatal sepsis or necrotizing enterocolitis (p=0.808, p=0.698, p=0.559).
CONCLUSION
Dexamethasone appears to significantly reduce neonatal respiratory distress syndrome at between 30 and 32 weeks gestation.

Keyword

Neonatal respiratory distress syndrome; Antenatal corticosteroid therapy

MeSH Terms

Dexamethasone
Enterocolitis, Necrotizing
Female
Humans
Incidence
Pregnancy
Respiratory Distress Syndrome, Newborn*
Sepsis
Dexamethasone