Repeat antenatal betamethasone and cardiometabolic outcomes

Abstract

Antenatal corticosteroid therapy is one of the most effective interventions for preterm birth, resulting in rapid maturation of fetal organ systems. The Australasian Collaborative Trial of Repeat Doses of Steroids (ACTORDS) revealed that neonatal benefit is greatest when antenatal corticosteroids are administered in repeat doses, which can be used to reduce the incidence and severity of preterm lung disease and other serious neonatal morbidity, with absolute benefits similar to that of an initial course of antenatal corticosteroids.