Effect of antenatal betamethasone on early systemic inflammatory indices in preterm infants with gestational age < 32 weeks

Abstract

Introduction: Antenatal glucocorticoid (AGC) therapy is routinely given to pregnant women when preterm delivery is expected. Systemic inflammatory indices are thought to have predictive value in some neonatal diseases. However, the effect of AGC on systemic inflammatory indices is unknown. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of AGC treatment on systemic inflammatory indices, morbidities and mortality in preterm infants. Methods: All preterm babies born at 0.05). Conclusion: AGC had no effect on systemic inflammatory indices in preterm infants. The effect of AGC, especially on the lung, may be due to local effects rather than systemic effects.

Keywords

• antenatal steroid
• betamethasone
• newborn
• premature
• systemic inflammatory indices
• morbidity