ACOG Expands Use of Corticosteroids Before Preterm Birth

By Kelly Young

Edited by Susan Sadoughi, MD, and André Sofair, MD, MPH

The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists has updated its recommendations on the use of corticosteroids in anticipated preterm labor.

ACOG continues to recommend a single course of corticosteroids in women who are at 24 weeks to 33 weeks 6 days of gestation and who are expected to go into labor soon (e.g., ruptured membranes, multiple gestations).

Now, antenatal corticosteroids, which speed up fetuses' lung development, should be considered in women at 23 weeks' gestation who are at risk for imminent delivery. This option depends on the family's wishes on resuscitation.

The group now also supports administering antenatal corticosteroids between 34 weeks and 36 weeks 6 days of gestation in women at high risk for delivering within the next 7 days who haven't yet received corticosteroids. A recent study found that the drugs reduced risk for respiratory complications in infants born late preterm.