Effect of Dexamethasone for Prevention of Neonatal Respiratory Distress Syndrome in mothers undergoing Elective Caesarean Section

Abstract

Background: Neonatal respiratory distress syndrome (RDS) remains one of the major causes of neonatal mortality and morbidity despite advance in perninatal care. In RDS, ventilation may be affected by homogeneity of the airways with atelectasis and over distension, as hyaline membranes block small airways. Aim: To compare the frequency of neonatal respiratory distress syndrome with dexamethasone versus control (without dexamethasone) in mothers admitted for elective cesarean section. Design of the Study: Randomized controlled trial Place and Duration of Study: Obstetrics and Gynecology Department, Unit- II, Aziz Bhatti Shaheed Hospital, Gujrat from 01-05-2019 to 31-10-2019. Methodology: A total of 140 patients were included in the study. In group A, females were given 4 doses of 6mg intramuscular dexamethasone, 12 hours apart pre-operatively. In group B, females were not given any corticosteroids. Results: Patients ranged between 18-40 years of age with mean age 31.1±4.7 and 31.3±4.2 years in Group A & B, respectively. The mean gestational age in Group-A was 38.0±0.6 and in Group-B 38.1±0.7 weeks. In Group-A mean BMI was observed 29.1±3.9 and Group-B 29.0±4.3 Kg/m2. In both groups there was a majority of primigravidae. Neonatal RDS in Group-A was found in 6 (8.6%) while in Group-B RDS was found in 18 (25.7%). There was a statisticallysignificant difference (p=0.007) between two groups. Stratification with respect to age, gestational age, parity and BMI was also noted. Conclusion: In conclusion, preoperatively Dexamethasone administration was associated with a significant lowering (p=0.007) of the incidence of neonatal respiratory distress syndrome in mothers of undergoing elective cesarean section. Keywords: Cesarean section; Neonatal respiratory distress syndrome, Dexamethasone