Antenatal Corticosteroids – Is it a Panacea for the Fetus and the Newborn?

Abstract

A single course of corticosteroids for pregnant women between 24 0/7 weeks and 33 6/7 weeks of gestation at risk of preterm delivery within 7 days is the standard antenatal therapy to accelerate fetal lung maturation and prevent respiratory distress syndrome. The benefits include not only a reduction in the risk of RDS (34%) but also a substantial reduction in mortality (32%), Intra-ventricular hemorrhage (IVH) (45%), Necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) (nearly 50%) and mechanical ventilation need (30%) and systemic infections in the first 48 hours (40%). Extrapolation of this therapy to late preterm and elective Caesarean section for early term deliveries may reduce respiratory distress and transient tachypnea of newborn but may lead to undesirable effects like hypoglycemia, neuro-sensory and behavioral disabilities.