RESUMO
Perinatal glucocorticoid therapy has been proved to be effective on promoting fetal/neonatal lung maturity and has contributed to a dramatic improvement in the mortality and morbidity associated with neonatal respiratory distress syndrome.The underlying mechanisms studies are aimed primarily at accelerating the development of alveoli and pulmonary surfactant system.Meanwhile,a growing number of investigations focus on the side effects of perinatal glucocorticoid therapy on fetal/neonatal.Whether the repeat antenatal glucocorticoid and early postnatal glucocorticoid by intravenous injection is safe remains unclear.More studies are needed on the different route of giving glucocorticoid,the effect of different doses and their machanisms.This review presents the relevant information surrounding perinatal glucocorticoid therapy to enhance fetal/neonatal lung maturity,including clinical and animal studies over the last decades.