Rescue corticosteroids in twin pregnancies and short‐term neonatal outcomes

• Published in: BJOG : an international journal of obstetrics and gynaecology 2013-01, Vol.120 (1), p.58-63
• Main Authors: Bibbo, C, Deluca, L, Gibbs, KA, Saltzman, DH, Rebarber, A, Green, RS, Fox, NS
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Adrenal Cortex Hormones - therapeutic use; Biological and medical sciences; Bones, joints and connective tissue. Antiinflammatory agents; Corticosteroids; Drug therapy; Female; Gestational Age; Gynecology. Andrology. Obstetrics; Humans; Infant, Newborn; Male; Medical sciences; Neonatal care; outcomes; Perinatal Care - methods; Pharmacology. Drug treatments; Pregnancy; Pregnancy, Twin; Premature Birth - drug therapy; preterm birth; rescue; Respiration, Artificial; Respiratory Distress Syndrome, Newborn - prevention & control; Respiratory system; Respiratory System Agents - therapeutic use; Retrospective Studies; twin; Twins
• ISSN: 1470-0328; 1471-0528
• DOI: 10.1111/1471-0528.12021

Objective  To estimate the efficacy of a rescue course of antenatal corticosteroids in twin pregnancies. Design  Retrospective cohort study. Setting  Tertiary‐care centre. Population  Twins born from 24 to 21% (6.3 ± 4.3 versus 33.3 ± 25.8 days, P = 0.003), a lower incidence of mechanical ventilation >14 days or death while on mechanical ventilation (0 versus 12.5%, P = 0.016), and a lower incidence of retinopathy of prematurity (0 versus 12.5%, P = 0.016). The proportion of neonates with respiratory distress syndrome did not differ between the groups (adjusted odds ratio 1.28, 95% confidence interval 0.50–3.26). There were no differences found for birthweight, head circumference and length. Conclusions  In twins born before 34 weeks of gestation, exposure to rescue corticosteroids may be associated with improved neonatal outcomes. Further studies are warranted to assess the effect of rescue corticosteroids in twin pregnancies.