Clinical Question: In women with preterm labor, do repeated courses of prenatal corticosteroids improve neonatal outcomes compared to a single course?

Abstract

Delivery occurs before 37 weeks in up to 12.7 percent of all births in the United States with many more pregnant women experiencing preterm labor.¹ Current therapy includes corticosteroids to hasten fetal lung development administered from 24 to 34 weeks of gestation, tocolysis, antibiotics for infections, and Group B streptococcus prophylaxis when indicated. Further study has been completed to determine risks and benefits of repeated doses of corticosteroids for women who have previously been treated but are still at risk for preterm delivery after 7 days. Research has shown decreased mortality for neonates after delivery and no long term impairments when comparing repeated to single courses.