Antenatal corticosteroids for maturity of term or near term fetuses: systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.

ABSTRACT:

Objective

 To evaluate the effectiveness of antenatal corticosteroids given at ≥34 weeks' gestation.

Design

 Systematic review with meta-analysis.

Data sources

 Electronic databases were searched from their inception to February 2016.

Eligibility criteria for study selection

 Randomized clinical trials comparing antenatal corticosteroids with placebo or no treatment in women with a singleton pregnancy at ≥34 weeks' gestation. Trials on antenatal steroids in women expected to deliver late preterm (34⁰-36⁶ weeks) and trials given before planned cesarean delivery at term (≥37 weeks) were included.

Data synthesis

 The primary outcome was the incidence of severe respiratory distress syndrome (RDS). The summary measures were reported as r

SUBMITTER: Saccone G 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5062056 | biostudies-literature | 2016 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature