title: Dosage regimen of antenatal steroids prior to preterm delivery and effects on maternal and neonatal outcomes.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The objective of this study was to compare the effects of two betamethasone dosage regimens on selected parameters in mothers and on the status of the preterm newborn.
  
  
  METHODS
  The analysis included 121 patients who gave birth by gestational week 35 and within 7 days after the completion of a full course of steroid treatment (24 mg). The study group consisted of 45 patients receiving six 4-mg doses of betamethasone every 8 h. The control group consisted of 76 patients receiving two 12-mg doses of betamethasone separated by 24 h.
  
  
  RESULTS
  After treatment, a significant increase in the leukocyte count was observed in the control group. Significant reductions in the erythrocyte counts, hemoglobin levels and hematocrit after treatment were also found in the control group. The post-natal status of newborns did not differ significantly between groups. The betamethasone dosage regimen used did not affect the incidence of moderate and severe respiratory disorders, intraventricular hemorrhage (IVH), necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC), retinopathy (ROP), infection, hyperbilirubinemia or anemia in neonates. Mild respiratory disorders were slightly more common in the study group.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  A reduction in the single steroid dose administered to patients at risk of premature birth may reduce maternal side-effects.
authors.affiliation: II Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Warsaw Medical University, Warsaw, Poland. ewamariar@wp.pl
authors.forename: Ewa
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Romejko-Wolniewicz
authors.forename: Luiza
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Oleszczuk
authors.forename: Julia
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Zaręba-Szczudlik
authors.forename: Krzysztof
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Czajkowski
mesh_terms: D001623:Betamethasone / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D036861:Delivery, Obstetric; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D005260:Female; D005938:Glucocorticoids / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007232:Infant, Newborn, Diseases / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000453:epidemiology; D009035:Mothers; D011247:Pregnancy; D011256:Pregnancy Outcome / Q000453:epidemiology*; D047928:Premature Birth / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D011297:Prenatal Exposure Delayed Effects / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology*; D011379:Prognosis
chemical_list: D005938:Glucocorticoids; D001623:Betamethasone