Neonatal respiratory distress syndrome after repeat exposure to antenatal corticosteroids: a randomised controlled trial

Abstract

Background: The efficacy and safety of repeat doses of prenatal corticosteroids remains uncertain. Our aim was to establish whether repeat prenatal corticosteroids given to women at risk of preterm birth can reduce neonatal morbidity without harm. Methods: In this hospital-based study, 982 women who remained at risk of preterm birth at less than 32 weeks' gestation, 7 or more days after receiving a first course of prenatal corticosteroids, were randomly assigned to receive a repeat intramuscular dose of either 11·4 mg betamethasone (as Celestone Chronodose), or saline placebo. This was repeated every week the woman remained undelivered, at less than 32 weeks' gestation, and at risk of preter..