[Prenatal steroids for fetal maturation in preterm birth. Experience at an institution]

Prenatal steroids have been proved useful in the prevention of respiratory distress syndrome (RDS) and other complications in premature infants.

To analyze retrospectively the impact of prenatal steroids in premature infants < 34 weeks.

Two hundred nineteen premature infants were divided into two groups: Group I (n = 145) without prenatal steroids and Group II (n = 74) with steroids. Maternal age, prenatal control, gestational age, gender, weight, Apgar score at 1 and 5 minutes, duration of neonatal hospital care, the presence or absence of RDS, intraventricular haemorrhage (IVH), necrotising enterocolitis (NEC), chronic lung disease (CLD) and neonatal death were analyzed. Chi square test and OD ratios were calculated.

Significant statistical difference were found in maternal age, prenatal control, and birth weight. Gestational age, gender and Apgar score at 1 and 5 minutes showed no significant difference. RDS and CLD incidence proved to be lower in group II (with prenatal steroids) showing a significant statistical of X2 = 31.32; p < 0.01 and X2 = 5.42; p < 0.01 respectively. Intraventricular difference (X2 = 5.02; p < 0.1), NEC (X2 = 1.47; p < 0.1), duration of neonatal hospital care and neonatal death showed no significant difference.

As reported by other authors, RDS incidence in premature infants is reduced by the use of prenatal steroids, and secondarily the incidence of CLD. No effect was found in the presence of IVH even though the OD ratio showed a protective effect. No beneficial effect nor an increase in the frequency of NEC was demonstrated. It is necessary to incorporate strategies at different levels that have the objective of preventing premature births and its complications.