Efficacy of Antenatal Steroids in Reducing Respiratory Morbidities in Late Preterm Infants

Effect of Antenatal Steroids for Women at Risk of Late Preterm Delivery on Neonatal Respiratory Morbidity

The hypothesis of the study is that administration of antenatal steroid to women at high risk of preterm birth after 34 weeks of gestation would reduce the risk of respiratory complications, specifically Respiratory Distress Syndrome (RDS) or Transient Tachypnea of the Newborn (TTN) in late preterm babies.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Women between 34 0/7- 36 6/7 weeks of gestation
• High risk of preterm birth

Exclusion Criteria:

• Multiple births
• Fetal congenital malformations
• A course of steroids within 2 weeks of randomization
• Multiple courses of steroids
• Chorioamnionitis
• Non reassuring fetal heart rate
• Obstetrical indication of delivery
• Active bleeding
• Pregnancy related hypertensive disorders
• Uncontrolled diabetes