Antenatal corticosteroids are now established as one of the cornerstones of therapy in the prevention of neonatal morbidity and mortality prior to preterm birth. Although this practice is widely accepted, a significant number of controversies exist. This review explores the knowledge gaps regarding the use of antenatal corticosteroids in the preterm, late preterm and term populations. Furthermore, the role of antenatal corticosteroids in special populations, such as diabetes, multiple pregnancies and periviable gestations, where high‐quality data from randomized controlled trials are lacking, is also considered.
Summary
Rectal bleeding occurs in about 40% of pregnant women, and is predominantly attributed to benign perianal pathology (haemorrhoids or anal fissures).
More sinister causes of rectal bleeding may be heralded by key red flag clinical and biochemical features. These features should be evaluated in all women with rectal bleeding. Imaging investigations or flexible sigmoidoscopy may be warranted. The latter can be performed safely by experienced operators in pregnant women.
Women with evidence of haemodynamic compromise, elevated inflammatory markers, significant anaemia, signs of intestinal obstruction or compromise to the fetus should be evaluated urgently. Providers must be mindful of the changes in normal ranges for common haematological and biochemical parameters in pregnancy compared with the non‐pregnant state.
Faecal calprotectin is an established tool for identification of intestinal inflammation and is valid in pregnancy. An elevated faecal calprotectin level (≥ 50 µg/g) signifies a need for further diagnostic evaluation.
Inflammatory bowel disease may present initially, or with worsening disease activity, in pregnancy. Expedient diagnosis with the use of faecal calprotectin, sigmoidoscopy with or without intestinal ultrasound, exclusion of alternative or compounding infective aetiologies, and institution of appropriate therapy are critical. Medical therapies for management of inflammatory bowel disease can be safely instituted in pregnancy.
Colorectal cancer incidence is increasing in younger age groups, but fortunately remains rare. When diagnosed in pregnancy, colorectal cancer can be successfully and safely managed with a collaborative multidisciplinary team approach. Early diagnosis is key to optimising outcomes.
Background:The benefit of antenatal corticosteroid (ACS) administration for the prevention of neonatal morbidity and mortality has been well described for preterm infants. Some studies have demonstrated a benefit for infants born by elective caesarean section (CS) at late preterm or term gestations. However, the neonatal benefits of ACS are not well described when given to pregnant women with diabetes.
Aims:The aim of this study was to evaluate the neonatal outcomes following ACS administration in women with pre-gestational diabetes mellitus (PGDM) when administered prior to elective CS after 36 weeks gestation.Methods: This retrospective observational study included all women with PGDM who gave birth by elective CS between 36 +0 and 38 +6 weeks gestation.Neonatal outcomes for exposed participants were compared to outcomes for non-exposed participants.Results: Of the 306 women identified, 65 (21.2%) were exposed to ACS within seven days prior to birth and 241 (78.8%) were not. Although not statistically significant, ACS-exposed infants born prior to 38 +0 weeks 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 did not demonstrate any statistically significant beneficial or 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.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.