The influence of race on the incidence of respiratory distress syndrome after antenatal betamethasone or dexamethasone.
OBJECTIVE
To compare the incidence of respiratory distress syndrome (RDS) in African American and Caucasian neonates after antenatal betamethasone or dexamethasone.


METHODS
This was a retrospective review of all deliveries occurring at < or = 32 weeks' gestation at Hackensack University Medical Center from 2001 to 2004. Only patients who received a complete course of antenatal steroids were included. The type (betamethasone or dexamethasone) was based on pharmacy supply. Statistical analysis was performed using Pearson's chi2 and Fisher's exact test.


RESULTS
The African American (n = 32) and Caucasian (n = 86) groups were similar in terms of maternal age, gestational age and infant birth weight. African Americans receiving dexamethasone had a 1.65-fold increased risk of delivering infants with RDS as compared to those who received betamethasone (91.3% vs. 55.6%, respectively; p = 0.038). No difference was noted among Caucasians.


CONCLUSIONS
Among African American neonates, the incidence of RDS was higher in those who received dexamethasone vs. betamethasone.
Dyer
Keisha Y
KY
Division of Maternal Fetal Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Hackensack University Medical Center, Hackensack, New Jersey, USA. kedyer@ucsd.edu
Alvarez
Jesus R
JR
Salamon
Charbel G
CG
Apuzzio
Joseph J
JJ
Alvarez
Manuel
M
Al-Khan
Abdulla
A
D000328:Adult; D001623:Betamethasone / Q000627:therapeutic use; D044383:Black People; D015331:Cohort Studies; D003907:Dexamethasone / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005260:Female; D005865:Gestational Age; D005938:Glucocorticoids / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007234:Infant, Premature; D011247:Pregnancy; D047928:Premature Birth; D011295:Prenatal Care; D012127:Respiratory Distress Syndrome, Newborn / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000517:prevention & control; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D044465:White People; D001741:Black or African American
D005938:Glucocorticoids; D003907:Dexamethasone; D001623:Betamethasone