Antenatal Corticotherapy in the Prevention of Respiratory Distress Syndrome in Preterm Neonates

Abstract

Introducction: Neonatal respiratory distress syndrome is a set of symptoms characterized by progressive respiratory distress that typically affects prematurely born newborns. It can manifest at birth or in the first hours of life and represents one of the main causes of respiratory failure and death in newborns. The underlying cause is a deficiency of pulmonary surfactant, a lipoprotein substance that coats the alveoli and prevents their collapse by reducing surface tension. Objective: Determine the effectiveness of the administration of antenatal corticosteroids in the prevention of respiratory distress syndrome in preterm newborns treated at the Matilde Hidalgo Specialized Hospital in Procel during the period 2021-2022. Methodology: A quantitative, non-experimental, crosssectional and retrospective study was carried out, with a correlational approach. The sample included 110 premature neonates. Results:The main risk factors related to the development of respiratory distress syndrome were male sex (53.6%), gestational age between 32 to 33 weeks (36.4%), maternal age between 20 to 34 years (55.5%), cesarean section delivery (58.2%) and gynecological maternal comorbidities (22.7%). The most used corticosteroid was dexamethasone (50.9%). All patients who did not develop respiratory distress syndrome received a corticosteroid therapy regimen and the administration of complete cycles of antenatal corticosteroids was related to the absence and/or lower degree of severity of the condition. There is an inversely proportional relationship between the use of prenatal corticosteroids and the severity of neonatal respiratory distress syndrome. Conclusions: The administration of antenatal corticosteroids was associated with a better respiratory outcome in premature neonates, preventing or reducing the severity of respiratory distress syndrome.