Neonatal outcomes following antenatal corticosteroid administration
prior to elective caesarean delivery in women with pre-gestational
diabetes; a retrospective cohort study
Abstract
Objective: The objective of this study was to evaluate the associations
between antenatal corticosteroid (ACS) administration and neonatal
outcomes in women with pre-gestational diabetes (PGDM) when administered
prior to elective caesarean section (CS) after 36 weeks gestation.
Design: Retrospective observational study. Setting: This study took
place in two academic hospitals in Melbourne, Australia. Sample: All
women with PGDM who gave birth by elective CS between 36+0 and 38+6
weeks’ gestation. Main Outcome Measures: Neonatal outcomes (neonatal
respiratory distress requiring respiratory support for more than 60
minutes, admission to neonatal nursery, neonatal hypoglycaemia requiring
parenteral treatment and neonatal sepsis) for exposed participants
(those who received ACS within 7 days prior to birth) were compared to
outcomes for nonexposed participants. Results: Of the 306 women
identified, 65 (21.2%) were exposed to ACS and 241 (78.8%) were not.
Although not statistically significant, infants born prior to 38+0 weeks
who were exposed to ACS were less likely to require respiratory support
or neonatal nursery admission compared to those who were not exposed,
however, exposed infants born after 37+0 weeks were more likely to
require parenteral treatment for neonatal hypoglycaemia. Conclusion:
This study demonstrated potential clinically relevant beneficial and
harmful effects of ACS in neonates of women with PGDM who are born by
elective CS. While it is plausible that ACS could reduce neonatal
respiratory morbidity in this population, further prospective studies
evaluating the benefits and harms are required before recommending this
practice.