Effects of antenatal corticosteroids exposure on multiple systems of preterm infants: a review / 中华围产医学杂志

Administration of antenatal corticosteroids (ACS) to pregnant women at risk of preterm delivery can significantly reduce the incidence of preterm-related complications, such as respiratory distress syndrome and necrotizing enterocolitis. However, ACS may have adverse effects on multiple systems including nervous system, cardiovascular system and carbohydrate metabolism in preterm infants. Whether ACS could influence neonatal development is still controversial. On this account, this review, focusing on short- and long-term effects of ACS therapy on nervous, cardiovascular, endocrine and other systems of infants born prematurely, will help clinical management and scientific research.