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Respiratory and glycemic control outcomes of late preterm infants after antenatal corticosteroid exposure

Abstract

Objective

To quantify changes in respiratory and glycemic control outcomes following antenatal corticosteroids (ANCS) exposure in late preterm neonates.

Design/Methods

The study included 500 neonates born between 34 0/7 and 36 6/7 weeks of gestation. Study population was divided into two groups: an immature group (34 0/7–35 6/7 weeks) and a mature group (36 0/7–36 6/7 weeks). Respiratory and glycemic control outcomes were analyzed for each group independently.

Results

In the immature group, the odds of developing respiratory distress decreased in neonates exposed to ANCS within 7 days of delivery (aOR 0.42; p = 0.02). In the mature group, ANCS exposure did not change respiratory outcomes, but decreased lowest blood glucose levels (−1.5 ± 0.66 mg/dL per dose, p = 0.02).

Conclusion

In our study cohort, ANCS administration was associated with improved neonatal respiratory outcomes only for infants in the immature 34 0/7–35 6/7 weeks of gestational age group. ANCS was associated with altered glycemic control only in infants in the mature 36 0/7–36 6/7 weeks of gestational age group.

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Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Contributions

VR and OJ designed and planned the study. OJ did the data collection. RG did the data analysis, OJ assisted with data analysis. OJ took the lead in writing the manuscript, together with VR and RG. RG supervised data collection and analysis. All authors provided critical feedback and helped shape the research, analysis, and manuscript.

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Olivia Janssen.

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The authors declare no competing interests.

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Janssen, O., Ratner, V., Lin, J. et al. Respiratory and glycemic control outcomes of late preterm infants after antenatal corticosteroid exposure. J Perinatol 41, 2607–2613 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41372-021-01162-y

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