Effect of Single Versus Multiple Courses of Antenatal Steroids on Neonatal Outcome • 938

Antenatal Steroid Use is Associated with Increased Gastroesophageal Reflux in Neonates

“…The decreased incidence of PDA with repetitive use of ANS is in concordance with previous reports. 10,28 Our data also suggests that GER is strongly associated with repetitive use of ANS (Table 2). Delayed esophageal transit and slowed gastric emptying occur frequently in reflux disease.…”

“…18 (9) Incidence of ROP as defined by the international classification of ROP including presence of abnormal vasoproliferation and tortuosity, retinal ride formation, scarring, and retinal detachment. 19 (10) Incidence of BPD defined by the presence of chronic respiratory distress with an oxygen requirement at 28 days of life and accompanied by characteristic chest roentgenogram findings. 20 (11) Incidence of CLD diagnosed by the presence of clinical and chest roentgenogram findings of BPD and the need for supplemental oxygen at a corrected gestational age of 36 weeks.…”

“…In humans, a study comparing single versus multiple courses of ANS showed that multiple courses of ANS significantly reduced the incidence of RDS and patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) without increasing other neonatal complications or growth. 10 Another study revealed that multiple courses of betamethasone were associated with a decrease in oxygen use but no significant effects were seen as regards RDS, assisted ventilation, birth weight or neonatal sepsis. 11 However, other investigators have shown that ANS results in lower birth weight, 12,13 as well as increased risk of early-onset neonatal sepsis, 14 transient hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, 15 prolonged adrenal suppression, 13 and increased mortality 13 with little or no other benefits.…”