RESUMO
Antenatal corticosteroids are still not routinely used in the Islamic Republic of Iran to promote lung maturity in premature neonates. In a retrospective review of records at Imam Hospital, Tehran, we compared 140 premature neonates born in 2000 whose mothers received dexamethasone antenatally with 142 born in 1995 whose mothers did not receive treatment. There were no significant differences between the groups in mothers' age; neonates' birth weight, gestational age or sex; route of delivery and multiple gestation; underlying maternal disease; or adverse events in labour. The incidence of respiratory distress syndrome was significantly lower in the dexamethasone-treated group [18.6% versus 35.9%]. Mortality [5.7% versus 14.8%] and use of the neonatal intensive care unit [12.9% versus 21.1%] were also significantly lower among those who had received treatment