Korean Journal of Perinatology  2012;23(2):39-49

Steroid use in Perinatal Medicine.

Jin A LEE 1

Affiliations

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Keywords

Steroid; Perinatal; Preterm

Country

Republic of Korea

Language

Korean

Abstract

Steroid use in perinatal period consists of the prenatal betamethasone or dexamethasone, the hydrocortisone treatment for transient adrenal insufficiency, and the dexamethasone treatment for bronchopulmonary dysplasia. Antenatal steroid treatment is a standard therapy for impending preterm delivery. Antenatal steroid reduced mortality and severe morbidities including intraventricular hemorrhage and periventricular leukomalacia. Usually betamethasone was superior to dexamethasone. Postnatal hydrocortisone can be administered if hypotension cannot be recovered by volume challenge and maximal inotropics support. High-dose dexamethasone cannot be recommended for the treatment of bronchopulmonary dysplasia because of increased cerebral palsy. Further randomized controlled trials should be performed for the low-dose dexamethasone therapy for bronchopulmonary dysplasia.