[Antenatal corticosteroid therapy and late preterm infant morbidity and mortality]

Late preterm infants (34-36 weeks gestation) have a morbidity rate significantly higher than those born at term. However, few interventions have been undertaken to reduce this increased morbidity and mortality. Antenatal corticosteroid administration could be an effective preventive measure.

The aim of this study was to describe the morbidity associated with late prematurity in our institution, and determine if there are differences between those who received antenatal corticosteroids.

A prospective observational study was conducted on late preterm infants born in a tertiary hospital from October 2011 until September 2012. Two groups were formed according to whether or not they had received antenatal steroids. The rates of morbidity and mortality for each of the groups were analysed and compared.

There was a total of 4127 live newborns during the study period, of whom 3795 were term and 332 were preterm (the overall prematurity rate was 8.04%). There were 247 late preterm deliveries, representing 6% of live born infants, and 74.4% of all premature infants. Of late preterm infants, 63.2% were admitted to the Neonatal Unit and 29.6% had received antenatal steroids. The incidence of admission to the Neonatal Unit and Neonatal Intensive Care, transient tachypnea, need for respiratory support in the form of continuous positive pressure airway and oxygen therapy, incidence of hypoglycemia, feeding difficulty, and jaundice requiring phototherapy were significantly higher (P<.05) in the late preterm group that did not receive antenatal steroids.

Our finding suggests that the administration of antenatal corticosteroids to patients at risk of 34-36 weeks delivery could significantly reduce the cost and acute morbidity associated with late preterm birth.