[Neonatal morbidity and mortality associated with low adherence to prenatal corticosteroids]

Prenatal corticosteroids reduce neonatal mortality and morbidity; however, there are few studies in developing countries, and with inconsistent results. The purpose of this study was to quantify the frequency of the use of prenatal corticosteroids and to estimate its effect on the morbidity and mortality of premature newborns.

A retrospective cohort study was performed on premature newborns selected from a census conducted between January 2016 and August 2017. The use of corticosteroids was taken from the maternal records, and the dependent variables from the neonatal records. An analysis was made of the relationship using logistic regression, adjusted to gestational age and weight.

The study included 1083 premature infants of which 53.3% were male. The mean gestational age was 33.4 weeks. Corticosteroids were received by 42%, with latency ≥24hours in 23.6% and ≥48hours in 13.8%. Respiratory distress syndrome was observed in 35% (379/1083), early neonatal sepsis in 4.4% (48/1083), late neonatal sepsis in 10.7% (116/1083), intraventricular haemorrhage in 15.1% (137/908), chronic lung disease in 51.4% (165/321), and death in 22.3% (242/1083). Prenatal corticosteroids decreased the risk of death in children under 34 weeks (OR 0.63, 95% CI 0.40-0.98). The decrease was greater if they presented with latency ≥48hours (OR 0.40, 95% CI 0.20-0.80). The rest of the dependent variables were not modified by the intervention.

In preterm infants, 42% received antenatal corticosteroids. In those with less than 34 weeks, there was a decrease in the risk of death without changes in morbidity.