ANTENATAL CORTICOSTEROIDS - BETWEEN BEING A USEFUL  DRUG AND POSING A RISK FOR FETAL AND ADULT DEVELOPMENT

Ivana Babovic; Jelena  Dotlic; Radmila Sparic; Vera Plesinac; Jovana Plesinac; Jovan Bila; Jelena Micic; Miljana Jovandaric; Natasa Karadzov Orlic; Mladen Andjic

doi:10.5937/medi56-44211

Ivana Babovic
Jelena Dotlic
Radmila Sparic
Vera Plesinac
Jovana Plesinac
Jovan Bila
Jelena Micic
Miljana Jovandaric
Natasa Karadzov Orlic
Mladen Andjic

DOI: https://doi.org/10.5937/medi56-44211

Keywords: antenatal corticosteroid therapy, programming, prematurity, fetus, neonate

Abstract

Abstract: Antenatal corticosteroid therapy (ACST) is very important in reducing the sequelae of prematurity, respiratory distress syndrome (RDS), intraventricular hemorrhage (IVH), and necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC). This therapy has short-term and long-term neonatal consequences that range from reduced neonatal body weight, brain growth, hypertension, hypoglycemia and obesity to delayed neurological development. In addition to the undeniable importance this type of therapy has on fetal maturation, it may also impact the programming of the fetus’s future development and health during childhood and adulthood. ACST must be personalized, as a single course, and determined by the indications and assessment of the expected time of delivery, so that the exposure time of the fetus to the effects of endogenous and exogenous steroids is shortened.