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Updated: May 13, 2026

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04:27

Intratracheal Instillation of Stem Cells in Term Neonatal Rats

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Association between antenatal corticosteroid exposure and respiratory morbidities in late preterm infants: a

Hye Won Park1, Tae-Eun Kim2, Sujin Choi1

  • 1Department of Pediatrics, Konkuk University Medical Center, Konkuk University School of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.

Journal of Perinatal Medicine
|May 12, 2026
PubMed

Insights

Antenatal corticosteroids (ACS) improved respiratory outcomes in late preterm infants, reducing the need for ventilatory support and oxygen therapy. This real-world evidence supports ACS effectiveness, though it did not impact transient tachypnea of the newborn or bronchopulmonary dysplasia.

Area of Science:

  • Neonatal Medicine
  • Obstetrics
  • Pulmonology

Background:

  • The clinical benefit of antenatal corticosteroids (ACS) in late preterm infants remains uncertain.
  • Guidelines have expanded ACS use following the ALPS trial, but real-world data is needed.
  • This study addresses the uncertainty surrounding ACS effectiveness in late preterm infants.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate the association between antenatal corticosteroid exposure and respiratory outcomes in late preterm infants.
  • To provide real-world evidence on the effectiveness of ACS in a nationwide cohort.
  • To assess the impact of ACS on specific respiratory morbidities in late preterm infants.

Main Methods:

  • Population-based cohort study using linked Korean National Health Insurance Service and National Health Screening Program data.
  • Inclusion of late preterm infants (34+0-36+6 weeks) born between 2014 and 2022.
  • Propensity score weighting to adjust for maternal and neonatal characteristics, estimating relative risks for respiratory outcomes.

Main Results:

  • ACS exposure was associated with reduced risks of ventilatory support (RR 0.923) and oxygen therapy (RR 0.827).
  • Reduced risk of respiratory distress syndrome (RR 0.908) was observed with ACS exposure.
  • No significant differences in transient tachypnea of the newborn (TTN) or moderate-to-severe bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) were found.

Conclusions:

  • Antenatal corticosteroids are associated with improved acute respiratory outcomes in late preterm infants.
  • ACS effectiveness was demonstrated for reducing ventilatory support and oxygen requirements.
  • The study provides real-world evidence supporting ACS use in late preterm infants, with exceptions for TTN and BPD.
Abstract

Keywords:
antenatal corticosteroidslate preterm infantsrespiratory outcomes

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