The Egyptian Journal of Hospital Medicine | 2019
Comparative Study between Betamethasone and Dexamethasone as a Prophylactic Corticosteroids Therapy on Neonatal Outcome in Elective Cesarean Section at 37 Weeks
Abstract
Background: preterm birth is the most costly complication of pregnancy and the leading cause of neonatal morbidity and mortality. There are multiple strategies to minimize the risk and the impact of prematurity, such as administration of antenatal corticosteroids (ACS), in association with tocolysis, neuroprotection with magnesium sulphate, and neonatal life-saving therapies. Aim of the Work: this study aimed to assess the comparison between betamethasone and dexamethasone before elective cesarean section at (37-37+6) weeks, in reducing neonatal respiratory morbidity and admission to neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) with respiratory complications. Patients and Methods: this clinical observational prospective study had been conducted at El Hussein University Hospitals Obstetrics and Gynecology Department from December 2017 to July 2018 to assess the comparison between betamethasone and dexamethasone as a prophylactic corticosteriodes before elective cesarean section at (37-37+6) weeks. Five hundred pregnant women attended to out-patient clinic, the patient were at risk of preterm labour before 37 weeks. Results: the rate of neonatal admission to primary care baby unit (PCBU) and TTN was significantly lower in group I [Betamethasone Group] when compared to group II [Dexamethasone Group]. There was a statistically significant difference between both groups regarding need for mechanical ventilation (1 to 9) respectively with p value of 0.011.Conclusion:antenatal corticosteroids (ecpecially betamethasone) were effective in prevention of respiratory complications after elective caesarean section at term.