[Indication of corticotherapy for fetal pulmonary maturation]

Corticosteroid administration before anticipated premature delivery is associated with a large reduction in the incidence of early neonatal death, respiratory distress syndrome, intraventricular hemorrhage and necrotizing enterocolitis. Despite scientific evidence, a minority of women delivering prematurely receive antenatal corticosteroid treatment. Randomized control trials show that there is no short term adverse effects for the infant and mother and no long term adverse effects for the child. We conclude that antenatal corticosteroid use is recommended before premature delivery until 34 weeks gestational age.