Antenatal steroids decrease morbidity and mortality of inborn premature infants in an University Hospital of Sao Paulo, Brazil

The goal of this study was to evaluate the effects of antenatal steroid on morbidity and mortality of newborn infants with less than 34 weeks of gestational age. 119 premature infants that received at least one dose of steroid during the week prior to delivery were compared to 119 infants that did not receive antenatal steroids, matched by time of birth, gestational age, gender, and birthweight. Patients that received greater than or equal to 1 doses of steroids showed less incidence of Respiratory Distress Syndrome and hospital mortality. These data should encourage the use of antenatal steroids in countries where neonatal mortality is still very high.Univ Fed Sao Paulo, Dept Pediat, Div Neonatal Med, Sao Paulo, BrazilUniv Fed Sao Paulo, Dept Pediat, Div Neonatal Med, Sao Paulo, BrazilWeb of Scienc