The policy of antenatal corticosteroid administration in Italy vs. other European countries.
OBJECTIVE
To describe antenatal corticosteroid policies in Italy in comparison with other European countries, as inferred by the published data of the EURAIL Study Group (1999).


METHODS
The results of a mail survey of departmental policies in Italy and Europe were compared.


RESULTS
The survey response rate was similar in Italy and Europe (86% and 81%, respectively); 70.7% of the respondents in Italy and 84% in Europe started antenatal corticosteroids from 24 to 28 weeks' gestation; however, 5% of respondents in Italy started at a gestational age of >34 weeks. The use of multiple antenatal corticosteroid courses was observed in 81% of the units in Italy and 87% in Europe. Betamethasone was the more frequently used drug in Italy.


CONCLUSIONS
Antenatal corticosteroids are used frequently in Italy and Europe in accordance with international recommendations, although many differences exist in the mode of administration. In 1999 almost all units used multiple courses, although this may not represent the rule 5 years later, following the publication of a prospective randomized trial that questioned the benefits of multiple courses of antenatal corticosteroids.
Cosmi
Ev
E
Institute of Gynecology, Perinatology and Child Health, University La Sapienza, Rome, Italy. ermelando.cosmi@uniroma1.it
Bevilacqua
G
G
Maranghi
L
L
Anceschi
M M
MM
D001623:Betamethasone / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004363:Drug Utilization / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005060:Europe; D005260:Female; D005325:Fetal Organ Maturity; D005865:Gestational Age; D005938:Glucocorticoids / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007558:Italy; D008168:Lung / Q000196:embryology; D016134:Organizational Policy; D017410:Practice Guidelines as Topic; D010818:Practice Patterns, Physicians' / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D011247:Pregnancy; D011295:Prenatal Care / Q000592:standards*; D012127:Respiratory Distress Syndrome, Newborn / Q000517:prevention & control*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
D005938:Glucocorticoids; D001623:Betamethasone