Association between antenatal corticosteroids and neonatal hypoglycemia in indicated early preterm births.

PURPOSE: We sought to determine if administration of antenatal corticosteroids in early preterm births (<34 weeks) is associated with an increased risk of developing neonatal hypoglycemia (<40 mg/dL) within the first 48 h of neonatal life. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Retrospective cohort of all indicated singleton preterm births (23-34 weeks) in a single tertiary center from 2011 to 2014. The primary outcome was neonatal hypoglycemia (<40 mg/dL) within the first 48 h of life. The outcome was compared by antenatal corticosteroids received at any point during the gestation, within 2-7 d of delivery, and whether the patient received a partial, full, or repeat course of antenatal corticosteroids. Logistic regression was used to adjust for confounders. RESULTS: Six hundred thirty-five patients underwent an indicated preterm birth during the study period. Six hundred and four (95%) received antenatal corticosteroids prior to delivery and 31 (5%) did not. The incidence of neonatal hypoglycemia within 48 h of life was not significantly different between those who received any antenatal corticosteroids and those who did not (23.0 versus 16.1%, adjusted odds ratio [OR] 1.3, 95%CI 0.5-3.6). Infants who received a full antenatal corticosteroid course within 2-7 d of delivery had similar incidences of hypoglycemia compared with those who received antenatal corticosteroids more than 7 d before delivery (20.4 versus 25.4%, adjusted OR 1.5, 95% confidence interval(CI) 0.8-2.9). Neonatal hypoglycemia was not increased by the number of antenatal corticosteroid doses (partial, full, or repeat course) administered. There was not a correlation between timing of antenatal corticosteroid administration before delivery, up to 250 h, and the lowest neonatal blood sugar in the first 48 h of life. CONCLUSION: Our findings suggest antenatal corticosteroid administration in indicated early preterm infants (<34 weeks) may not increase the risk of developing neonatal hypoglycemia within the first 48 h of life. Further studies should validate our findings.

Does Early Artificial Rupture of Membranes Speed Labor in Preterm Inductions?

OBJECTIVE: In full-term patients, early artificial rupture of membranes (AROMs) decreases time in labor. We assessed the impact of early AROM in preterm patients undergoing indicated induction of labor. STUDY DESIGN: We conducted a retrospective cohort study of all patients undergoing indicated preterm induction (23-34 weeks) at a single tertiary care center from 2011 to 2014. Early AROM was defined as <4 cm and late AROM was defined as ≥4 cm. The primary outcomes evaluated were cesarean delivery and time in labor. Secondary outcomes were chorioamnionitis and a composite of maternal and neonatal adverse outcomes. RESULTS: Of the 149 women included, 65 (43.6%) had early AROM. Early AROM was associated with an increased time from the start of induction to delivery (25.7 ± 13.0 vs. 19.0 ± 10.3 hours, p < 0.01) and with an increase in the risk of cesarean (53.4 vs. 22.6%, adjusted odds ratio: 3.5, 95% confidence interval: 1.60-7.74). Early AROM was not associated with an increased risk of chorioamnionitis or adverse maternal or fetal outcomes. CONCLUSION: In this observational cohort, early AROM was associated with an increased risk of cesarean. A randomized controlled trial is necessary to determine the optimal timing of AROM in preterm patients requiring delivery.