title: Relationship between the time interval from antenatal corticosteroid administration until preterm birth and the occurrence of respiratory morbidity.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The purpose of this study was to assess the relationship between neonatal respiratory morbidity and the interval between antenatal corticosteroids (ACS) administration and birth.
  
  
  METHODS
  We performed a retrospective cohort study among women who had received ACS and delivered at <34 weeks of gestation. We categorized these women in 4 groups: ACS-to-delivery interval of 0-7, 8-14, 15-21, and 22-28 days. Multivariable logistic regression analysis assessed the association between the ACS-to-delivery interval and neonatal respiratory morbidity.
  
  
  RESULTS
  We included 254 neonates. Eighty-two neonates (32%) were intubated. In comparison with neonates with an ACS-to-delivery interval of 0-7 days, the risk for intubation was increased in all other groups (odds ratio [OR], 2.3; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.1-5.4; OR, 5.6; 95% CI, 1.8-18; and OR, 4.8; 95% CI, 0.71-32, not statistically significant, respectively).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The effect of ACS decreases when the ACS-to-delivery interval exceeds 7 days. The first administration of ACS should be considered carefully.
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Máxima Medical Center, Veldhoven, The Netherlands. femke_wilms@hotmail.com
authors.forename: Femke F
authors.initials: FF
authors.lastname: Wilms
authors.forename: Jolande Y
authors.initials: JY
authors.lastname: Vis
authors.forename: Desiree A P M
authors.initials: DA
authors.lastname: Pattinaja
authors.forename: Rosanna A
authors.initials: RA
authors.lastname: Kuin
authors.forename: Monique C
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: Stam
authors.forename: Janine M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Reuvers
authors.forename: Ben Willem J
authors.initials: BW
authors.lastname: Mol
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D000328:Adult; D015331:Cohort Studies; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008297:Male; D011247:Pregnancy; D011256:Pregnancy Outcome; D047928:Premature Birth / Q000503:physiopathology*; D011295:Prenatal Care; D012127:Respiratory Distress Syndrome, Newborn / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000401:mortality; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones