Physicians caring for pregnant women and their preterm infantshave used corticosteroids since Liggins and Howie reported in1972 that prenatal betamethasone decreased the incidence ofthe respiratory distress syndrome and increased the survivalof preterm infants.1 This infatuation with corticosteroids isnot unique to perinatal medicine; corticosteroids have beenused for almost every human disease for which there is no effectivetherapy. Despite an astounding number of randomized, controlledtrials of corticosteroids in perinatal medicine, we remain uncertainabout their appropriate use. The Cochrane Review of 18 trialsof prenatal corticosteroids demonstrated compelling benefitsfor infants delivered before 32 . . . [Full Text of this Article]
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From the Division of Pulmonary Biology and Neonatology, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati.
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