Prophylactic Antenatal Corticosteroid Administration before Elective Cesarean Delivery at or Near Term to Improve Perinatal Outcome

Document Type : Original Research Papers

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Obstetrics and Gynecology Dept., Faculty of Medicine, Benha Univ., Benha, Egypt

Abstract

Abstract
To evaluate whether giving the recommended prophylactic course of dexamethasone before delivery reduces the occurrence of neonatal respiratory morbidities and the need for NICU admission after elective cesarean delivery between 37and 39 weeks. This is a randomized case control retrospective study conducted at the NICU of Benha children hospital during the period started from November 2017. It reviewed the medical record of 100 neonates delivered by elective cesarean section at the period between 37and 39weeks gestation after uncomplicated pregnancy and admitted to NICU due to respiratory morbidities that occur commonly after elective cesarean delivery specially TTN . The neonates were divided into 2 exposed groups whose mothers received prophylactic antenatal dexamethasone either single dose [group 2] or repeated doses [group 3], and non-exposed group [group 1] who’s mothers did not receive dexamethasone . Neonatal respiratory morbidity was compared between the three groups. Data was analysed using SPSS 19.There was no significant difference between the corticosteroid exposed groups and non-exposed groups regarding admission to NICU [p= o.570], respiratory distress syndrome [no cases of RDS have been recorded], transient tachypnea of the neonate [all cases in different groups were RD due to TTN], need for mechanical ventilation [p=0.701], final outcome, and length of hospital stay . Therefore no correlation between antenatal corticosteroid administration before elective cesarean delivery at or near term and neonatal respiratory outcome[P value=0.388].Prophylactic antenatal corticosteroid for elective cesarean delivery between 37 and 39 weeks is not effective in improving neonatal outcomes.

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