Antenatal glucocorticoids and renal function after birth.

Antenatal glucocorticoid treatment is widely used in cases of threatening preterm delivery. Both human and animal studies have confirmed that glucocorticoids promote pulmonary maturation in fetuses. Several studies indicate that prenatal glucocorticoids also stimulate renal maturation. Although the current knowledge about the effects of glucocorticoids on kidney function is mainly concentrated on short-term effects, there are animal studies suggesting that antenatal glucocorticoid treatment may also cause permanent changes in kidney morphology and renal function. It still remains to be investigated if antenatal glucocorticoid treatment induces long-term effects in humans.