Clinical aspects of antenatal enhancement of pulmonary maturation.
The background, history, and physiologic basis for the use of corticosteroids to enhance fetal pulmonic maturation are presented. Clinical data relevant to this topic are discussed, and recommendations for the use of these agents are proposed. Finally, other pharmacologic agents that may become clinically useful for this indication are described.
Coustan
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Division of Maternal-Fetal Medicine and Obstetrics, Women and Infants' Hospital of Rhode Island, Providence.
D000818:Animals; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D005325:Fetal Organ Maturity / Q000187:drug effects; D005938:Glucocorticoids / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008168:Lung / Q000187:drug effects / Q000196:embryology*; D007752:Obstetric Labor, Premature / Q000517:prevention & control; D011247:Pregnancy; D011897:Random Allocation; D012127:Respiratory Distress Syndrome, Newborn / Q000517:prevention & control*
D005938:Glucocorticoids