Antenatal Corticosteroids
Babies who are born preterm (less than 37 weeks) are at risk for complications related to underdeveloped organs. Complications tend to be more serious when a baby is born at an earlier gestational age.
Some medications, including corticosteroids, can be given to help reduce or prevent certain conditions related to preterm birth. More information about preterm birth is listed in further detail in the pre-term birth handout.
Corticosteroids, such as betamethasone and dexamethasone, are an intramuscular injection medicine given to a pregnant person if preterm birth is expected within the next 7 days.
The benefit of corticosteroids decreases as gestational age of delivery increases and corticosteroid use is typically reserved for a person whose delivery is predicted to happen at less than 34 weeks gestational age.
Corticosteroids have been shown to decrease the risk of perinatal death, respiratory (lung) distress syndrome, intraventricular hemorrhage (brain bleeding), and necrotizing enterocolitis (a bowel issue).
When administered appropriately, benefits of corticosteroids outweigh potential, but poorly-understood, risks.
Timing of the corticosteroids is very important as the biggest benefit for the baby is when the first dose is given 2-7 days before birth!
| Steroid | Dosing |
| Betamethasone | 12mg doses of betamethasone will be given by intramuscular injection. There will be 2 doses; the doses will be given 24 hours apart. |
| Dexamethasone | 6mg doses of dexamethasone will be given by intramuscular injection. There will be 4 doses; the doses will be given 12 hours apart. |
