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Am J Perinatol 2018; 35(13): 1241-1250
DOI: 10.1055/s-0038-1653944
Review Article
Thieme Medical Publishers 333 Seventh Avenue, New York, NY 10001, USA.

Past and Present: A Review of Antenatal Corticosteroids and Recommendations for Late Preterm Birth Steroids

C. Luke Dixon
1   Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston, Galveston, Texas
,
Gloria Too
2   Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Eastern Virginia Medical School, Norfolk, Virginia
,
George R. Saade
1   Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston, Galveston, Texas
,
Cynthia Gyamfi-Bannerman
3   Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Columbia University, New York, New York
› Author Affiliations
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Publication History

22 December 2017

08 April 2018

Publication Date:
23 May 2018 (online)

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Abstract

Since 1972, the beneficial neonatal effects of antenatal corticosteroids (ACSs) have been repeatedly demonstrated in pregnancies at risk of preterm birth before 34 weeks' gestation. While ACS utilization before 34 weeks has been high since the 1990s, knowledge gaps regarding the risks and benefits of ACS continue to exist. Recent evidence has been published regarding the benefit of ACS in the late preterm period. This review addresses the evidence and knowledge gaps for ACS use before and after 34 weeks' gestation. We also provide recommendations for ACS use in the late preterm period.

Keywords

antenatal corticosteroids - betamethasone - dexamethasone - fetal - maturity - late preterm steroids

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