Abstract :
Globally, preterm birth is a serious public health problem and is a leading cause of perinatal death and disability. Care provided to mother during antenatal period has a significant bearing on the new born survival.Antenatal corticosteroids are usedfor accelerating foetal lung maturation for women at risk of pre-term birthwhich results in decrease of neonatal morbidity and mortality. Antenatal corticosteroids are effective in reducing respiratory distress syndrome (RDS) and other complications of premature deliveries. Govt. of India is placing it’s efforts to bring this intervention into focus and also to empower ANMs to give a prereferral dose of Antenatal Corticosteroid to a pregnant women going in to preterm labour to improve its access.
Keyword :
Corticosteroids, preterm birth, gestational age, RDS, IVH, NEC