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The Effects of Antenatal Steroid Treatment on Preterm Infants' Early Laboratory Analysis
Gulsum Kadioglu Simsek1, H Gozde Kanmaz Kutman1, Fuat Emre Canpolat1
1Department of Neonatology, University of Health Sciences Turkey, Zekai Tahir Burak Women's Health Practice and Research Center Hospital, Ankara, Turkey.
Insights
Antenatal steroid treatment in preterm infants did not affect inflammatory markers. However, it was associated with decreased white blood cell counts and increased platelet counts in the first 24 hours of life.
Area of Science:
- Neonatal Medicine
- Perinatology
- Pediatric Laboratory Medicine
Background:
- Antenatal steroid treatment is crucial for fetal lung maturation in preterm infants.
- The impact of antenatal steroids on early neonatal laboratory findings requires further elucidation.
- Understanding these effects is vital for optimizing neonatal care protocols.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the influence of antenatal steroid treatment on laboratory parameters within the first 24 hours of life in preterm infants.
- To compare specific laboratory markers between preterm infants exposed and unexposed to antenatal steroids.
- To investigate potential correlations between antenatal steroid administration and early inflammatory markers.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective review of medical records for preterm infants (gestational age ≤32 weeks).
- Comparison of infants whose mothers received antenatal betamethasone versus those who did not.
- Analysis of demographic characteristics, morbidities, mortality, and early laboratory results (WBC, platelets, CRP, IL-6).
Main Results:
- Higher incidence of preeclampsia and oligohydramnios in the antenatal steroid treatment group.
- Reduced rates of delivery room intubation and higher 5-minute APGAR scores in the treated group.
- Significantly decreased white blood cell counts and increased platelet counts in infants receiving antenatal steroids; no difference in CRP or IL-6 levels.
Conclusions:
- Antenatal steroid treatment did not show a relationship with inflammatory markers (CRP, IL-6) in preterm infants.
- Observed changes in WBC and platelet counts warrant consideration in the clinical management of preterm neonates.
- Further research may explore the clinical significance of these hematological alterations.
Objectives:
We assessed the effects of antenatal steroid treatment on preterm laboratory analysis conducted in the first 24 hours of life.
Methods:
Medical records of inborn preterm infants whose gestational age was ≤32 weeks were retrospectively reviewed in this study. Preterm infants whose mothers received antenatal betamethasone treatment of either 12 mg or 24 mg and who did not were divided into two groups. Maternal and neonatal demographic characteristics, all preterm morbidities and mortality rates, early laboratory examinations were compared between the two groups.
Results:
Medical records of 603 infants between 2008 and 2013 were retrospectively reviewed. Data from 515 infants were analyzed. Three hundred and four infants (n=304) were in the antenatal steroid treatment (AST) group and 211 infants were in the group that did not receive the treatment. The incidence of preeclampsia and oligohydramnios was significantly higher in the AST group. Intubation in the delivery room rates decreased in the AST group. APGAR scores at five minutes were significantly higher in the AST group. White blood counts (WBC) significantly decreased, whereas the platelet counts were higher in the AST group. Serum C-reactive protein (CRP) and Interleukin-6 (IL-6) levels did not differ between groups.
Conclusion:
We did not demonstrate any relationship between inflammatory markers and antenatal steroid treatment in preterm infants.
