Procedure-to-delivery interval after late amniocentesis and the need for routine antenatal corticosteroids

The aim of this study is to assess the procedure-to-delivery interval (PDI), the obstetric complications, and the early neonatal outcome in patients that did or did not receive glucocorticosteroids (GCSs) before third-trimester amniocentesis (TTA).

A retrospectively analysis of 445 TTA procedures divided into two groups based on the administration (study group = 220 patients) or not (control group = 225 patients) of GCSs before TTA. The PDI was calculated for all patients. Obstetric and neonatal outcomes were compared between the groups.

The rate of procedure-associated complications was similar between the groups. The mean PDI was 47.2 ± 16.8 days. The overall incidence of preterm birth was 11.7%; 9% delivered between 34 and 37 weeks and 2.7% between 28 and 34 weeks. Only nine patients (2%) delivered within seven days following TTA. The incidence of respiratory distress syndrome in the study and control groups was 1.8% and 1.3%, p = .71, respectively. There were no significant differences in other neonatal outcomes in term and preterm deliveries between the study and control groups.

In the present study, the administration of glucocorticoids prior to TTA did not reduce the rates of neonatal complications, which was similar in both groups and not higher than the general population.