When a baby is born just a few weeks early, their lungs might not be fully ready, and they often need help breathing right after birth. A new study looked at whether giving mothers a steroid shot called dexamethasone before a late preterm delivery could make a difference.
The trial involved 294 pregnant women in Vietnam who were at risk of delivering between 34 and 37 weeks. The researchers found that babies whose mothers received the steroid needed breathing support less often—15% of the time, compared to 24.5% for babies whose mothers received standard care. Babies in the steroid group were also less likely to be admitted to the neonatal unit and less likely to need treatment for jaundice.
It's important to note how the study was done. The doctors and mothers knew who was getting the steroid, which can sometimes influence results. The findings are from a single hospital in Vietnam, and we don't have details on the long-term safety for mothers or babies. While the results are promising for reducing immediate breathing problems, they are a first step from one specific setting.