Neonatal hypoglycemia after initiation of late preterm antenatal corticosteroids

To compare the frequency and severity of neonatal hypoglycemia in pregnancies treated with and without late preterm antenatal corticosteroids. We conducted a retrospective cohort study of late preterm deliveries at LAC + USC (2015–2018). Neonatal outcomes were compared between pregnancies treated with and without corticosteroids. 93 pregnancies (39.9%) received corticosteroids and 140 (60.1%) did not. Neonates born to women given corticosteroids were more likely to be hypoglycemic (47.3 vs. 29.3%, ORadj 2.25, padj = 0.01). The mean initial glucose (45.6 mg/dL vs. 51.9 mg/dL, p = 0.01) and glucose nadir (39.1 mg/dL vs. 45.4 mg/dL, p < 0.001) were significantly lower if the neonates received corticosteroids. Neonates admitted to the NICU solely for hypoglycemia were more likely to be born to women treated with corticosteroids (ORadj 4.71, padj = 0.01). Administration of late preterm corticosteroids was associated with an increased incidence and severity of neonatal hypoglycemia.