The effect of glucocorticoid therapy in preventing early neonatal complications in preterm delivery

Premature birth is the single largest cause of perinatal mortality and morbidity in non-anomalous infants in all developed nations. The aim of this study is to survey the role of glucocorticoid therapy in decreasing early neonatal complications in preterm delivery.

A case control study was carried out on 300 preterm labors. Half the women received one to four 6 mg doses of dexamethasone every 6 hours, depending on the interval between admission and delivery. Neonatal complications were compared between the two groups.

Corticosteroid therapy was observed to have the greatest effect in preventing respiratory distress and neonatal mortality between 29-34 gestational weeks. There was a significant relationship between antenatal corticosteroid therapy interval and mortality of preterm neonates. Complications such as respiratory distress, sepsis, pneumonia, and hyperbilirubinemia were significantly lower in the case group than in the control.

It is recommended that all women at high risk for preterm labor before 35 gestational weeks be given glucocorticoid at least 24 hours before delivery in order to markedly reduce neonatal mortality and morbidity.