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Antenatal corticosteroid treatment: what's happened since Drs Liggins and Howie?

AbstractIn 1972, Drs Liggins and Howie published a landmark article demonstrating that antenatal corticosteroids significantly reduced the frequency of respiratory distress syndrome and neonatal mortality. A single course of antenatal corticosteroids has become standard of care for pregnant women at risk for preterm birth. Recent studies have suggested weekly courses of antenatal corticosteroids result in improvement in the acute neonatal condition but have not supported long-term benefit. With greater understanding of the beneficial actions of corticosteroids on the fetal lung, the role for this therapy may expand. In addition to increased surfactant production and secretion, corticosteroids facilitate clearance of fetal lung fluid, as well as other maturational effects. Thus, antenatal corticosteroids may prove valuable in the late preterm period and before elective cesarean delivery at term.
AuthorsClarissa Bonanno, Ronald J Wapner (Affiliation: Division of Maternal Fetal Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, NY, USA.)
JournalAmerican journal of obstetrics and gynecology (Am J Obstet Gynecol) Vol. 200 Issue 4 Pg. 448-57 (Apr 2009) ISSN: 1097-6868 [Electronic] United States
PMID19318156 (Publication Type: Journal Article)
Chemical References
  • Adrenal Cortex Hormones
Topics
  • Adrenal Cortex Hormones (administration & dosage, therapeutic use)
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Infant, Newborn
  • Pregnancy
  • Prenatal Care
  • Respiratory Distress Syndrome, Newborn (mortality, prevention & control)