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Evidence summaries

Dexamethasone Vs Betamethasone for Fetal Lung Maturation for Women at Risk of Preterm Birth

Dexamethasone and betamethasone appear to be as effective for foetal lung maturation for women at risk of preterm birth. Level of evidence: "B"

A Cochrane review [Abstract] 1 included 11 studies with a total of 2492 women and 2762 infants. 9 trials (2096 women and 2319 infants) compared dexamethasone versus betamethasone (22.8mg vs 24mg). No statistically significant differences were seen for respiratory distress syndrome, intraventricular haemorrhage, chronic lung disease, or necrotizing enterocolitis.

Comment: The quality of evidence is downgraded by imprecise results (limited study size for each comparison).

References

  • Williams MJ, Ramson JA, Brownfoot FC. Different corticosteroids and regimens for accelerating fetal lung maturation for babies at risk of preterm birth. Cochrane Database Syst Rev 2022;(8):CD006764.[PubMed]

Primary/Secondary Keywords