Recent recommendations extend the use of antenatal corticosteroids to women at 34 weeks gestation or later who are expected to deliver preterm, and also suggest that steroids be given to women undergoing planned cesarean delivery at term. Among women expected to deliver between 34 and 37 weeks’ gestation, corticosteroid use within that window was associated with decreased risks for severe respiratory distress syndrome (relative risk, 0.60) and transient tachypnea of the newborn .
Among women undergoing planned C-section at 37 weeks’ gestation or later, corticosteroids given 48 hours before delivery were associated with significantly decreased risks for numerous outcomes, including mild-to-moderate respiratory distress syndrome, transient tachypnea of the newborn, and mechanical ventilation. Steroids were also associated with higher Apgar scores.
