Aims: The use of corticosteroids and abandoning the delivery are of preventive actions of newborns' respiratory distress syndrome. The aim of this clinical trial was to compare the effect of one versus two doses of Betamethasone on the outcomes of preterm infants. Materials & Methods: In this quasi-experimental clinical trial, 100 preterm labor pregnant women who referred to Sanandaj Be'sat Hospital in 2013 were selected by purposive sampling method and were divided into one dose (12mg Betamethasone) and two doses (12mg Betamethasone with the interval of 24 hours) groups. Information about delivery and gender, weight and Apgar scores of newborn were recorded in the checklist. Newborns were examined for infant respiratory distress syndrome, necrotizing enterocolitis, cerebral hemorrhage and neonatal death. Data were analyzed in SPSS 20 software by Chi-square and Mann-Whitney U tests. Findings: 14 newborns (28%) in one dose and 13 (24.5%) in two doses group had respiratory distress syndrome (p=0.689). 4 newborns (8%) in one dose and 7 (13.2%) in two doses group had enterocolitis and 8 newborns (16%) in one dose and 9 (17%) in two doses group needed respiratory support (p>0.05). Conclusion: Single-dose or two doses administration of Betamethasone in preterm mothers have no impact on newborn after birth.

Background: Neonatal mortality rate (NMR) is one of the most important health indicators in the world. Objectives: The current study aimed at determining the factors influencing neonatal mortality in Kurdistan province, Northwest of Iran. Methods: The current population-based case-control study was conducted in 2013. Cases were neonates who passed away within their first 28 days of life, in Kurdistan. The controls were selected among neonates who were born in the closest time and place to the case group. Data were collected using a questionnaire through interviews by a trained questioner. Chi-square, Fisher exact test, and logistic regression were used to analyze the data. All analyses were conducted by SPSS version 19. Results: A significant difference was observed between the neonatal mortality and the place of residence, maternal education level, maternal passive smoking, age, neonate birth weight, type of delivery, and nutrition. Maternal passive smoking during the previous year, pregnancy interval of less than 3 years, placental abruption, age, birth weight, malformations, and asphyxia were the most important factors associated with neonatal mortality. Conclusions:To reduce the NMR, in addition to follow-up and application of national guidelines, other necessary factors including the regionalization of the maternal and neonatal cares, planning, and development of programs with the focus on the causes and risk factors of neonatal mortality in Kurdistan province should be considered.