Effects of antenatal steroids on the incidence and severity of respiratory distress syndrome in an Iranian hospital.
Antenatal corticosteroids are still not routinely used in the Islamic Republic of Iran to promote lung maturity in premature neonates. In a retrospective review of records at Imam Hospital, Tehran, we compared 140 premature neonates born in 2000 whose mothers received dexamethasone antenatally with 142 born in 1995 whose mothers did not receive treatment. There were no significant differences between the groups in mothers' age; neonates' birth weight, gestational age or sex; route of delivery and multiple gestation; underlying maternal disease; or adverse events in labour. The incidence of respiratory distress syndrome was significantly lower in the dexamethasone-treated group (18.6% versus 35.9%). Mortality (5.7% versus 14.8%) and use of the neonatal intensive care unit (12.9% versus 21.1%) were also significantly lower among those who had received treatment.
Nayeri
F
F
Neonatal Intensive Care Unit Ward, Vali-e-Asr Reproductive Health Research Centre, Imam Hospital Complex, Tehran Medical University, Tehran, Islamic Republic of Iran. fatemehnayeri@hotmail.com
Movaghar-Nezhad
K
K
Assar-Zadegan
F
F
D000328:Adult; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D015984:Causality; D036861:Delivery, Obstetric / Q000379:methods; D003907:Dexamethasone / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005260:Female; D005865:Gestational Age; D005938:Glucocorticoids / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006769:Hospitals, General; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D007226:Infant Mortality; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007363:Intensive Care Units, Neonatal / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D007492:Iran / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D007752:Obstetric Labor, Premature / Q000517:prevention & control; D011247:Pregnancy; D018566:Pregnancy, High-Risk; D011295:Prenatal Care / Q000379:methods*; D012127:Respiratory Distress Syndrome, Newborn / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents; D005938:Glucocorticoids; D003907:Dexamethasone