HAKAN AYTAN, H LEVENT KESKİN, FİGEN TÜRKÇAPAR, ŞENOL KALYONCU, ESRA AKTEPE KESKİN, AHMET C ÇALIŞKAN, NURİ DANIŞMAN
Gynecology Obstetrics & Reproductive Medicine - 2004;10(1):33-38
OBJECTIVE: To determine whether the perinatal factors and antepartum steroid administration affect the outcomes of very low birth weight infants (VLBW). STUDY DESIGN: 329 single VLBW infants born in 1998-1999 were enrolled in this retrospective study. The contribution of perinatal factors [preterm labor (PTL), preterm premature rupture of membranes (PPROM), preeclampsia, intrauterine growth retardation] and antepartum steroid administration on neonatal mortality and morbidities [respiratory distress syndrome (RDS), intra-ventricular hemorrhage, neonatal sepsis and necrotizing enterocolitis] were assessed. RESULTS: Intrauterine growth retarded infants and infants of hypertensive women were less prone to develop RDS. The steroid administration did not improve the survival <1000 g infants of hypertensive women develop morbidities more often. Antenatal maternal steroid administration decreased RDS incidence in <1000 g infants, but did not decrease surfactant rescue therapy need in VLBW infants. CONCLUSION: This study substantiates the concept of increased adrenal glucocorticoid production as a respond to a stressed environment leading to accelerated fetal lung maturation in VLBW infants and found that antenatal maternal administration of steroids does not decrease the need for surfactant rescue therapy in VLBW infants.
