Antenatal corticosteroid administration for foetal lung maturation

Katie Wynne; Christopher Rowe; Matthew Delbridge; Brendan Watkins; Karina Brown; Jordan Addley; Andrew Woods; Henry Murray

doi:10.12688/f1000research.20550.1

Antenatal corticosteroid administration for foetal lung maturation

F1000Res. 2020 Mar 30:9:F1000 Faculty Rev-219. doi: 10.12688/f1000research.20550.1. eCollection 2020.

Authors

Katie Wynne^{1

2

3}, Christopher Rowe^{1

2

3}, Matthew Delbridge⁴, Brendan Watkins⁴, Karina Brown⁴, Jordan Addley³, Andrew Woods^{3

5}, Henry Murray^{3

5}

Affiliations

¹ Department of Diabetes & Endocrinology, John Hunter Hospital, New Lambton Heights, NSW, 2305, Australia.
² Mothers and Babies, Hunter Medical Research Institute, New Lambton Heights, NSW, 2305, Australia.
³ School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW, 2308, Australia.
⁴ School of Medicine and Public Health, University of New England, Armidale, NSW, 2351, Australia.
⁵ Department of Obstetrics, John Hunter Hospital, New Lambton Heights, NSW, 2305, Australia.

Abstract

Antenatal corticosteroids are an essential component in the management of women at risk for preterm labour. They promote lung maturation and reduce the risk of other preterm neonatal complications. This narrative review discusses the contentious issues and controversies around the optimal use of antenatal corticosteroids and their consequences for both the mother and the neonate. The most recent evidence base is presented.

Keywords: antenatal; betamethasone; dexamethasone; neonatal mortality; pregnancy; preterm; respiratory distress syndrome.

Publication types

Review

MeSH terms

Adrenal Cortex Hormones
Dexamethasone
Female
Humans
Infant, Newborn
Lung*
Pregnancy
Premature Birth

Substances

Adrenal Cortex Hormones
Dexamethasone

Grants and funding

The author(s) declared that no grants were involved in supporting this work.