Prevention of Neonatal Respiratory Distress Syndrome With Antenatal Steroid Administration

Summary

To determine the effect of corticosteroids, administered 24 to 48 hours before parturition, on the incidence of neonatal respiratory distress syndrome (RDS) and to determine whether the therapy has any adverse short- or long-term (up to 36 months) effects on the infant. Secondarily, to determine whether the therapy has any adverse short-term effects on the mother and to determine whether morbidity rates for neonatal respiratory distress syndrome as well as total and cause-specific infant mortality rates differ between mothers who received antenatal steroids and those who received conventional medical care.

Timeline

Start

1976-06

Primary completion

—

Completion

1983-08

Publications

• Background Effect of antenatal dexamethasone administration on the prevention of respiratory distress syndrome. Am J Obstet Gynecol. 1981 Oct 1;141(3):276-87.
• Background Effects of antenatal dexamethasone administration in the infant: long-term follow-up. J Pediatr. 1984 Feb;104(2):259-67. doi: 10.1016/s0022-3476(84)81009-4.
• Background Collaborative Group on Antenatal Steroid Therapy: Prevention of Respiratory Distress Syndrome: Effect of Antenatal Dexamethasone Administration. Hospital and Follow-up Studies. NIH Publication No. 85-2695, 1985.

Drugs

Indications