Isaac Blickstein1, Eric S Shinwell, Ayala Lusky, Brian Reichman. 1. Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology,Kaplan Medical Center, Rehovot and the Hadassah-Hebrew University School of Medicine, Jerusalem, Israel. blick@netvision.net.il
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of antenatal corticosteroids on the incidence of respiratory distress syndrome in singleton infants and multiple infants who weigh <1500 g and are delivered at 24 to 32 weeks of gestation. STUDY DESIGN: The incidence of respiratory distress syndrome was established in 4754 singleton infants, 2460 twin infants, and 906 triplet infants. RESULTS: The incidence of respiratory distress syndrome ranged from 58.2% among singleton infants who received a complete course of antenatal corticosteroid to 81.5% in triplets without any treatment. Complete treatment significantly reduced the incidence of respiratory distress syndrome, compared with partial or no treatment (odds ratio, 0.2-0.6). The adjusted risk for respiratory distress syndrome among infants who received a complete course of antenatal corticosteroids compared with singleton infants increased with plurality (odds ratio, 1.4 and 1.8 for twins and triplets, respectively). CONCLUSION: The effect of corticosteroids decreased with increasing plurality. Irrespective of plurality, a complete course of antenatal corticosteroids significantly reduced the incidence of respiratory distress syndrome, whereas partial treatment had the same effect as no treatment.
OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of antenatal corticosteroids on the incidence of respiratory distress syndrome in singleton infants and multiple infants who weigh <1500 g and are delivered at 24 to 32 weeks of gestation. STUDY DESIGN: The incidence of respiratory distress syndrome was established in 4754 singleton infants, 2460 twin infants, and 906 triplet infants. RESULTS: The incidence of respiratory distress syndrome ranged from 58.2% among singleton infants who received a complete course of antenatal corticosteroid to 81.5% in triplets without any treatment. Complete treatment significantly reduced the incidence of respiratory distress syndrome, compared with partial or no treatment (odds ratio, 0.2-0.6). The adjusted risk for respiratory distress syndrome among infants who received a complete course of antenatal corticosteroids compared with singleton infants increased with plurality (odds ratio, 1.4 and 1.8 for twins and triplets, respectively). CONCLUSION: The effect of corticosteroids decreased with increasing plurality. Irrespective of plurality, a complete course of antenatal corticosteroids significantly reduced the incidence of respiratory distress syndrome, whereas partial treatment had the same effect as no treatment.