Antenatal corticosteroids and outcome in a very low birth weight in Qatar

Abstract EN

Respiratory Distress Syndrome (RDS) causes sig¬nificant mortality and morbidity in babies born before 32 weeks gestation.

To determine the effectiveness of antenatal steroid treatment (ANS) in reducing neo¬natal morbidity from respiratory distress syndrome, and patent ductus arteriosus (PDA), intra-ventricular haemorrhage (IVH), and retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) in very low birth weight infants, a retrospective case control study examined the medical records of 125 babies born before 32 weeks gestation.

Divided into two groups according to whether or not antenatal corticosteroids were given, the groups did not differ in rates of RDS, IVH, PDA, or ROP but the group that did not receive ANS had a significantly higher risk of death (p < 0.05).