Minimum interval from fetal betamethasone treatment to postnatal lung responses in preterm lambs

Article Abstract:

Administration of corticosteroids between eight and 15 hours before preterm delivery may allow enough time for fetal lungs to mature. Researchers injected betamethasone into fetal lambs and delivered them prematurely by cesarean section eight or 15 hours later. Fetal lambs receiving betamethasone 15 hours before delivery showed improvement in all measures of lung function after birth. Excess fluid buildup in lungs diminished 15 hours after betamethasone injection. Overall, lung function improved between eight and 15 hours after injection. Betamethasone improved lung function by changing lung structure, enabling lungs to take in more air. This study support current recommendations to administer corticosteroids within 24 hours of delivery of infants to minimize the risk of death and brain hemorrhage.

Pulmonary edema

---

Meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials of antenatal corticosteroid for the prevention of respiratory distress syndrome: discussion

Article Abstract:

Meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials show that antenatal corticosteroids are effective in reducing respiratory distress syndrome, but that the number of fetuses benefitting from the treatment varies with gestational age. Overall, to achieve relative risk reduction 41%, 13 patients must be treated to prevent one case. For high-risk fetuses (less than 30 weeks) the number needed to be treated with corticosteroids to prevent one case of respiratory distress syndrome is five or less. However, if gestational age is 34 weeks or more, 94 fetuses must be treated to prevent one case.

Premature birth

---

Similar abstracts:

• Abstracts: Multicenter clinical trial of ibuprofen and acetaminophen in the treatment of postoperative dental pain. Antipyretic efficacy of ibuprofen and acetaminophen in children with febrile seizures
• Abstracts: Antenatal corticosteroid treatment and neonatal outcomes for infants 501 to 1500 gm in the Vermont-Oxford Trials Network

This website is not affiliated with document authors or copyright owners. This page is provided for informational purposes only. Unintentional errors are possible.