USE OF ANTENATAL CORTICOSTEROIDS FOR FETAL MATURATION

Corticosteroids used to enhance fetal maturation are one of the best s tudied interventions in perinatal medicine. The treatment has been sho wn to reduce neonatal morbidity and mortality. The intervention is als o highly cost-effective. In this article, we review the evidence suppo rting the benefits of corticosteroids, controversial issues concerning their use, and current practice recommendations. The review will high light the research presented at the recent National Institutes of Heal th Consensus Conference concerning corticosteroids. This research led the National Institutes of Health to advocate clinical practice guidel ines on the appropriate use of corticosteroids.