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Evidence summaries

Corticosteroids for Preventing Neonatal Respiratory Morbidity after Elective Caesarean Section at Term

Prophylactic betamethasone before elective caesarean section at term may reduce the rate of admissions to neonatal special care unit for respiratory complications compared to usual care. Level of evidence: "C"

A Cochrane review [Abstract] 1 included 1 study comparing prophylactic betamethasone versus usual care with a total of 942 neonates. There was a statistically nonsignificant trend towards reduced risk of respiratory distress syndrom with betamethasone (RR 0.34 95% CI 0.07 to 1.65; n=942) or need of mechanical ventilation. Admission to neonatal special care for respiratory complications was reduced (RR 0.45, 95% CI 0.22 to 0.90; n=942).

Comment: The quality of evidence is downgraded by study quality (lack of blinding) and by imprecise results (few outcome events).

    References

    • Sotiriadis A, McGoldrick E, Makrydimas G et al. Antenatal corticosteroids prior to planned caesarean at term for improving neonatal outcomes. Cochrane Database Syst Rev 2021;(12):CD006614. [PubMed]

Primary/Secondary Keywords