Respiratory and glycemic control outcomes of late preterm infants after antenatal corticosteroid exposure

Objective To quantify changes in respiratory and glycemic control outcomes following antenatal corticosteroids (ANCS) exposure in late preterm neonates. Design/Methods The study included 500 neonates born between 34 0/7 and 36 6/7 weeks of gestation. Study population was divided into two groups: an immature group (34 0/7–35 6/7 weeks) and a mature group (36 0/7–36 6/7 weeks). Respiratory and glycemic control outcomes were analyzed for each group independently. Results In the immature group, the odds of developing respiratory distress decreased in neonates exposed to ANCS within 7 days of delivery (aOR 0.42; p = 0.02). In the mature group, ANCS exposure did not change respiratory outcomes, but decreased lowest blood glucose levels (−1.5 ± 0.66 mg/dL per dose, p = 0.02). Conclusion In our study cohort, ANCS administration was associated with improved neonatal respiratory outcomes only for infants in the immature 34 0/7–35 6/7 weeks of gestational age group. ANCS was associated with altered glycemic control only in infants in the mature 36 0/7–36 6/7 weeks of gestational age group.