title: [Antenatal corticosteroid therapy and late preterm infant morbidity and mortality].
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Late preterm infants (34-36 weeks gestation) have a morbidity rate significantly higher than those born at term. However, few interventions have been undertaken to reduce this increased morbidity and mortality. Antenatal corticosteroid administration could be an effective preventive measure.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this study was to describe the morbidity associated with late prematurity in our institution, and determine if there are differences between those who received antenatal corticosteroids.
  
  
  METHODS
  A prospective observational study was conducted on late preterm infants born in a tertiary hospital from October 2011 until September 2012. Two groups were formed according to whether or not they had received antenatal steroids. The rates of morbidity and mortality for each of the groups were analysed and compared.
  
  
  RESULTS
  There was a total of 4127 live newborns during the study period, of whom 3795 were term and 332 were preterm (the overall prematurity rate was 8.04%). There were 247 late preterm deliveries, representing 6% of live born infants, and 74.4% of all premature infants. Of late preterm infants, 63.2% were admitted to the Neonatal Unit and 29.6% had received antenatal steroids. The incidence of admission to the Neonatal Unit and Neonatal Intensive Care, transient tachypnea, need for respiratory support in the form of continuous positive pressure airway and oxygen therapy, incidence of hypoglycemia, feeding difficulty, and jaundice requiring phototherapy were significantly higher (P<.05) in the late preterm group that did not receive antenatal steroids.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Our finding suggests that the administration of antenatal corticosteroids to patients at risk of 34-36 weeks delivery could significantly reduce the cost and acute morbidity associated with late preterm birth.
authors.affiliation: Servicio de Neonatología, Hospital Virgen de la Salud, Toledo, España. Electronic address: isabelgazquezserrano@gmail.com.
authors.forename: I M
authors.initials: IM
authors.lastname: Gázquez Serrano
authors.affiliation: Servicio de Neonatología, Hospital Virgen de la Salud, Toledo, España.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Arroyos Plana
authors.affiliation: Servicio de Pediatría, Hospital de Antequera, Antequera, Málaga, España.
authors.forename: O
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Díaz Morales
authors.affiliation: Servicio de Neonatología, Hospital Virgen de la Salud, Toledo, España.
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Herráiz Perea
authors.affiliation: Servicio de Neonatología, Hospital Virgen de la Salud, Toledo, España.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Holgueras Bragado
mesh_terms: D001623:Betamethasone / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005260:Female; D005865:Gestational Age; D005938:Glucocorticoids / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007235:Infant, Premature, Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000401:mortality / Q000517:prevention & control*; D008297:Male; D011295:Prenatal Care; D011446:Prospective Studies
chemical_list: D005938:Glucocorticoids; D001623:Betamethasone
keywords: Antenatal corticosteroids; Corticoides prenatales; Late preterm infants; Premature; Prematuro; Prematuro tardío