Should we give antenatal steroids to mothers pregnant > 34 weeks?

[hehady]

Please read this article and then answer my questrions: Should we administer antenatal steroids to mothers preganat 34-37 weeks planned for elective CS?

Bastek JA, Sammel MD, Paré E, Srinivas SK, Posencheg MA, Elovitz MA.

Adverse neonatal outcomes: examining the risks between preterm, late preterm, and term infants. Am J Obstet Gynecol. 2008 Oct;199(4):367.e1-8.

[Stefan Johansson]

I would say No!

I am not sure if the morbidity associated with late preterm birth would would be worse compared to the possible side-effects of steriods (I mean long term effects, which we really know little about).

(And off-topic; we strongly advice obs&gyn and parents-to-be, to push "elective CS" to week 39 unless it is needed for special indications.

[drjha04]

I would say yes as it does decrease morbidity of late preterm.

As such there is not much EBM in support of this . In future more and more evidence will be out in support of this as at vraious institutes trials are on.

[geeth]

If there is a risk of pulmonary hypoplasia( eg.premature prolonged rupture of membranes/oligohydramnios), antenatal steroids are indicated.

Ruppa Geethanath