Association of Antenatal Steroid Administration with Neonatal Morbidities among Late Preterm Multiple Gestation Infants

Abstract

Background There is limited evidence on the efficacy of antenatal steroids (ANS) among women with multiple gestations at risk of late preterm delivery.Study design: This retrospective study included multiple gestation, late preterm infants (340/7-366/7 weeks gestational age), born between January 2013 and December 2022. The primary outcome was composite respiratory outcome, defined as the need for respiratory support by 72 hours of age. Logistic and linear regressions were performed to compare the primary and secondary outcomes with and without exposure to any ANS, adjusted for gestational age, sex of infant, histologic chorioamnionitis, and intrauterine growth restriction.Results The composite respiratory outcome was significantly lower in any ANS group compared to no ANS group (28.6% vs. 33.7%) [adjusted odds ratio 0.50, 95% CI, 0.33–0.75, p˂0.001].Conclusion In late preterm multiple gestation infants, any ANS exposure was associated with lower risk of composite respiratory outcome.