Corticosteroids
Green-top Guideline No. 7
October 2010
Antenatal Corticosteroids to Reduce Neonatal Morbidity and Mortality
Antenatal Corticosteroids to Reduce Neonatal Morbidity and Mortality
This is the fourth edition of this guideline, which was previously published in April 1996, December 1999 and February 2004.The previous guideline was entitled Antenatal Corticosteroids to Prevent Respiratory Distress Syndrome.
1.
Purpose and scope
The aim of this guideline is to provide up-to-date information on the appropriate use of antenatal corticosteroid therapy in women whose babies are at risk of complications owing to either preterm birth or elective caesarean section at term. This guideline does not assess the effectiveness of tests in the prediction of preterm delivery (e.g. ultrasound scanning for cervical length, cervical fibronectin measurement) or other interventions that may prevent preterm labour (e.g. tocolysis).
2.
Background
There is evidence to suggest that antenatal corticosteroids are effective not only in reducing respiratory distress syndrome (RDS) but also in reducing other complications of prematurity such as intraventricular haemorrhage (IVH). The title of this guideline has been changed to Antenatal Corticosteroids to Prevent Neonatal Morbidity and Mortality to include all groups of women and all outcomes.
3.
Identification and assessment of evidence
This RCOG guideline was developed in accordance with standard methodology for producing RCOG Greentop Guidelines. The Cochrane Library (including the Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews), DARE, Embase, TRIP, Medline and PubMed (electronic databases) were searched for relevant randomised controlled trials, systematic reviews and meta-analyses and cohort studies.The search was restricted to articles published between 2002 to July 2008. The databases were searched using the relevant MeSH terms, including all subheadings, and this was combined with a keyword search. Search words
October 2010
Antenatal Corticosteroids to Reduce Neonatal Morbidity and Mortality
Antenatal Corticosteroids to Reduce Neonatal Morbidity and Mortality
This is the fourth edition of this guideline, which was previously published in April 1996, December 1999 and February 2004.The previous guideline was entitled Antenatal Corticosteroids to Prevent Respiratory Distress Syndrome.
1.
Purpose and scope
The aim of this guideline is to provide up-to-date information on the appropriate use of antenatal corticosteroid therapy in women whose babies are at risk of complications owing to either preterm birth or elective caesarean section at term. This guideline does not assess the effectiveness of tests in the prediction of preterm delivery (e.g. ultrasound scanning for cervical length, cervical fibronectin measurement) or other interventions that may prevent preterm labour (e.g. tocolysis).
2.
Background
There is evidence to suggest that antenatal corticosteroids are effective not only in reducing respiratory distress syndrome (RDS) but also in reducing other complications of prematurity such as intraventricular haemorrhage (IVH). The title of this guideline has been changed to Antenatal Corticosteroids to Prevent Neonatal Morbidity and Mortality to include all groups of women and all outcomes.
3.
Identification and assessment of evidence
This RCOG guideline was developed in accordance with standard methodology for producing RCOG Greentop Guidelines. The Cochrane Library (including the Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews), DARE, Embase, TRIP, Medline and PubMed (electronic databases) were searched for relevant randomised controlled trials, systematic reviews and meta-analyses and cohort studies.The search was restricted to articles published between 2002 to July 2008. The databases were searched using the relevant MeSH terms, including all subheadings, and this was combined with a keyword search. Search words