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  • Title: [Corticosteroid for fetal lung maturation: indication and treatment protocols].
    Author: Senat MV.
    Journal: J Gynecol Obstet Biol Reprod (Paris); 2002 Nov; 31(7 Suppl):5S105-13. PubMed ID: 12454632.
    Abstract:
    Fifteen randomized studies in Crowley's analysis compared a group of patients receiving, a single course of steroids versus placebo between 24 and 34 weeks of gestation. It clearly demonstrated the benefit of a single course of steroids in the prevention of the prematurity-related complications with a decrease in neonatal mortality, a decrease in the incidence of respiratory distress syndrome, a reduction in the incidence of intraventricular haemorrhage and a reduction in necrotizing enterocolitis (NP 1). Because only bethamethasone has proved its efficiency in the reduction of neonatal mortality (NP 2) and antenatal exposition to betamethasone is associated with a decrease in the risk of periventricular leukomalacia in children born prematurely (NP 3) it seems preferable to use betamethasone rather than dexamethasone. Antenatal administration of repeated courses compared with single course of steroids improves fetal lung function with a decrease of RDS notably if the children is born before 28 weeks of gestation (NP 2) but numerous animal studies reported adverse effects of repeated courses. Several studies in women having received of repeated courses steroids report a decrease in birth weight and head circumference at birth but with a 3 years follow up similar to that of children exposed to a single course (NP 3). In conclusion the benefit of a single course of steroids is indisputable for the prevention of the prematurity-related complications but there is today a strong concern about the benefit/risk ratio in relation to the prescription of repeated courses of steroids.
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