title: Antenatal corticosteroids for fetal maturation in women at risk for preterm delivery.
abstract: The available data unambiguously support the beneficial, short-term fetal effects of antenatal corticosteroids in women at risk for preterm delivery. There are still several incompletely addressed questions, including the use of corticosteroids in women with preterm premature rupture of membranes, the optimal corticosteroid preparation to be used, and the impact of repeated dosing. These issues are discussed in this review from the perspective of recent scientific evidence on the mechanisms responsible for positive short-term effects on survival and possible harmful long-term effects.
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences, University of Texas Medical School at Houston, The University of Texas Medical School at Houston, 6431 Fannin St., Suite 3.604 Houston, TX 77030, USA. Alex.C.Vidaeff@uth.tmc.edu
authors.forename: Alex C
authors.initials: AC
authors.lastname: Vidaeff
authors.forename: Nora M
authors.initials: NM
authors.lastname: Doyle
authors.forename: Larry C
authors.initials: LC
authors.lastname: Gilstrap
mesh_terms: D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000494:pharmacology*; D001623:Betamethasone / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology; D015975:Consensus Development Conferences, NIH as Topic; D003907:Dexamethasone / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology; D005260:Female; D005322:Premature Rupture of Fetal Membranes / Q000150:complications*; D005325:Fetal Organ Maturity / Q000187:drug effects*; D005865:Gestational Age; D006801:Humans; D007752:Obstetric Labor, Premature / Q000209:etiology* / Q000517:prevention & control*; D011247:Pregnancy; D011256:Pregnancy Outcome; D014481:United States
chemical_list: D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones; D003907:Dexamethasone; D001623:Betamethasone