title: Effect of repeated doses of dexamethasone on the incidence and severity of respiratory distress syndrome in multifetal gestation between 24 and 34 weeks.
abstract: The objective of the study was to evaluate the effects of antenatal corticosteroid therapy in multiple pregnancy on the incidence and severity of respiratory distress syndrome (RDS). Twenty-two women with twin, 12 with triplet and 2 with quadruplet pregnancies and an emergency group of 20 mothers with twin pregnancies, who only had one course of dexamethasone, were compared with controls. Corticosteroid therapy was associated with a reduction in moderate to severe RDS in all groups (twins p < 0.01, triplets and quadruplets p < 0.008) and the emergency group with dexamethasone therapy (p < 0.036) when compared to their individual controls. Dexamethasone reduced the duration of stay in the neonatal intensive care unit of the emergency twin group (p < 0.01). Neonatal birth weights were significantly less in all groups treated with repeated doses in comparison to the controls.
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Faculty of Medicine, Kuwait University, Safat, Kuwait. sobha@hsc.kuniv.edu.kw
authors.forename: M K
authors.initials: MK
authors.lastname: Al-Yatama
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Al Essa
authors.forename: A E
authors.initials: AE
authors.lastname: Omu
authors.forename: I
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Al-Shamali
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Egbase
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Rashwan
mesh_terms: D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D003907:Dexamethasone / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007730:Kuwait; D011247:Pregnancy; D011272:Pregnancy, Multiple / Q000187:drug effects*; D012127:Respiratory Distress Syndrome, Newborn / Q000188:drug therapy*
chemical_list: D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones; D003907:Dexamethasone