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Updated: Jun 24, 2026

Modeling Encephalopathy of Prematurity Using Prenatal Hypoxia-ischemia with Intra-amniotic Lipopolysaccharide in Rats
Published on: November 20, 2015
Gestational age-specific effects of antenatal corticosteroids on early physiologic vulnerability and neonatal
Abraham Kwak1, Chae Young Kim2, Juhee Park1
1Division of Neonatology, Department of Pediatrics, Asan Medical Center, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
Objective:
To evaluate gestational age (GA)-specific associations between antenatal corticosteroid (ACS) exposure and early physiologic vulnerability and neonatal outcomes in preterm infants.
Study Design:
This retrospective cohort study used Korean Neonatal Network data and included infants born 2013-2021 with birth weight <1500 g or GA < 32 weeks. ACS exposure was categorized as complete, incomplete, or none. Multivariable logistic regression estimated adjusted odds ratios, with GA-stratified analyses and a prespecified subgroup of infants born at <25 weeks.
Results:
ACS exposure was associated with reduced need for advanced resuscitation at birth, reduced risk of severe intraventricular hemorrhage and decreased mortality, with the strongest associations before 32 weeks' gestation. In infants born at <25 weeks, any ACS exposure was associated with greater physiologic stability and improved survival versus no ACS exposure.
Conclusions:
ACS exposure was associated with improved physiologic stability and survival in preterm infants, with benefits greater at lower GAs.
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