Use of Antenatal Corticosteroids in Preterm Prelabor Rupture of Membranes

"Antenatal corticosteroids are important interventions to prevent neonatal morbidity and mortality associated with preterm birth. Administering intramuscular betamethasone or dexamethasone before preterm birth reduces risks of respiratory distress syndrome, intraventricular hemorrhage, necrotizing enterocolitis, and death. These same benefits are seen among women with preterm prelabor rupture of membranes (PPROM) without any proven increased risk of neonatal or maternal infection. Although future studies are needed to elucidate effects of antenatal corticosteroids at less than 23 weeks' gestation and a rescue course at later gestational ages after PPROM, a single course of antenatal corticosteroids is vital to optimizing neonatal outcomes after PPROM."