Antenatal corticosteroid therapy in late preterm infants: evidence and controversies / 中华围产医学杂志

ABSTRACT

Compared with term infants, late preterm infants, defined as the gestational age of 34 +0-36 +6 weeks, have a significantly higher incidence of neonatal respiratory diseases. Antenatal corticosteroid (ACS) therapy is of great importance in promoting lung maturation and improving prognosis in preterm infants. It has been recommended as a routine approach in the treatment of preterm infants less than 34 gestational weeks. However, its efficacy and potential side effects in late preterm infants remain inconclusive. We review the pharmaceutical mechanisms, clinical research data, current guidelines, controversies, potential complications of ACS therapy in late preterm birth to inform current clinical practice and address future research directions.