Abstract
Since Liggins first reported the beneficial pulmonary effects in fetus after maternally administered corticosteroids in 1972, many subsequent studies have demonstrated that antenatal corticosteroids (ACS) administered to mothers can reduce the morbidity and mortality in their preterm neonates. However, serious concerns have been raised that this therapy is being overused and the use of repeated courses of antenatal corticosteroids may be associated with adverse effects on somatic and brain growth in a growing fetus. These concerns have led to the revised guidelines for antenatal corticosteroids use from National Institute of Health. This article will review the normal anatomy, physiology and regulation of function of adrenal gland in the fetus; rationale and evidence for use of antenatal corticosteroids for enhancement of fetal lung maturation; unresolved issues regarding antenatal corticosteroids therapy; and current guidelines for its use.
Keywords: 11-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase 2, corticotrophin releasing hormone, randomized controlled trials, Betamethasone, respiratory distress syndrome
Call for Papers in Thematic Issues
RARE CASES IN GYNECOLOGY-OBSTETRICS
With the development of diagnostic and therapeutic techniques (such as ART techniques) and the immersion of new pathologies (such as COVID19), we are witnessing an increase in the incidence of pathologies that were previously described as rare or exceptional. the practitioner sometimes confronts difficult situations in these cases in diagnostic ...read more
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