Corticosteroid treatment for prevention of prematurity complications.

OBJECTIVE

To investigate of efficiency to corticosteroid treatment for prevention of respiratory distress syndrome and other prematurity complications.

MATERIALS AND

METHODS

One thousand and six babies born at 26-36(th) gestational age were investigated for following parameters; the development of respiratory distress syndrome, necessity of surfactant therapy, mean duration of daily ventillatory support, rates of Grade III or IV intraventricular hemorrhage, and periventricular leukomalacia, necrotizing enterocolitis, proven neonatal sepsis and neonatal death. Antenatal steroids were administered in the form of two 12-mg intramuscular doses of betamethasone 12 h apart as a total 24 mg in the 24 h and repeat courses of two 12 mg of betamethasone every 7 days after the first dose of the last course if undelivered. Babies were divided into 4 groups based on betamethasone

TREATMENT: The first group or control group didn't received treatment; the second group received treatment and delivered within 12 h after first injection; the third group delivered 12-24 h after first injection; and fourth group delivered at least 24 h after first injection. The patients ongoing pregnancy at least 1 week were divided into two groups as a single dose and multiple courses in once a week.

RESULTS

Significant difference for development of respiratory distress syndrome between fourth group and others was found (p=0.029). There were significant difference for respiratory distress syndrome rate in hypertensive and premature rupture of membranes groups between fourth group and control group (p=0.002, p=0.041). There weren't significant difference for RDS between repeat doses and single dose groups (p>0.05).

CONCLUSION

Single dose corticosteroid is an effective treatment for the development of RDS and the prevention of other prematurity complications.