Rescue Antenatal Steroids and Pulmonary Function Tests in Preterm Infants
Status:
Completed
Trial end date:
2009-11-01
Target enrollment:
Participant gender:
Summary
One course of steroids given to a mother before a premature delivery helps the lungs of the
premature infant and decreases breathing problems. One course of antenatal steroids is the
standard of care for threatened premature deliveries. It is unclear as to how long the
benefit of one course of steroids last. The most benefit to the baby's lungs seem to occur if
the steroids are given at least 24 hours before but within 7 days of a premature delivery. It
is difficult to predict the timing of a preterm delivery so deliveries often do not occur
within this time period. We hypothesize that the benefits of the steroids to the lungs wear
off if the steroids are given more than 14 days before a preterm delivery, and that in these
circumstances an extra course of steroids will help the premature baby's lungs and the
premature baby will have less breathing problems as shown by lung function testing.