Uso antenatal de corticosterÛide e evoluÁªo clÌnica de recØm-nascidos prØ-termo

Abstract Objectives: To describe the use of antenatal corticosteroid andclinical evolution of preterm babies.Methods: An observational prospective cohort study was carriedout. All 463 pregnant women and their 514 newborn babies withgestational age ranging from 23 to 34 weeks, born at the BrazilianNeonatal Research Network units, were evaluated from August 1 toDecember 31, 2001. The data were obtained through maternal interview,analysis of medical records, and follow-up of the newborn infants. Dataanalysis was performed with the use of chi-square, t Student, Mann-Whitney, and ANOVA tests and multiple logistic regression, with levelof significance set at 5%.Results: Treatment was directly associated with the number ofprenatal visits, with maternal hypertension and with the antenatal useof tocolytic agents. Babies from treated pregnant women presentedbetter Apgar scores at the 1st and 5th minute, reduced need forintervention in the delivery room and lower SNAPPE II. They were bornwith higher birth weight, longer gestational age and needed lesssurfactant use, ventilation, and oxygenation time. After multiple logisticregression, the use of antenatal corticosteroid independently improvedbirth conditions, decreased ventilation time, being related to increasedoccurrence of neonatal sepsis.Conclusions: The use of corticosteroid was associated with betterprenatal care and birth conditions, better preterm evolution but higherrisk of infection.J Pediatr (Rio J). 2004;80(4):277-84: Antenatal glucocorticoids,prematurity, mechanical ventilation, infection, low birth weight.