Dexamethasone in Prevention of Respiratory Morbidity in Elective Caesarean Section in Term Fetus
Status:
Completed
Trial end date:
2011-06-01
Target enrollment:
Participant gender:
Summary
Introduction: Babies born at term by elective caesarean section (CS) and before onset of
labor are more likely to develop respiratory complications than babies born vaginally. In
developing countries resources are scarce and it is difficult to provide expensive treatments
as neonatal care.
Aim of the Work: To assess the effect of prophylactic dexamethasone administration before
elective cesarean section at term in reducing neonatal respiratory complications.
Patients and methods: 600 women were included in the study and were planned to have elective
caesarean section. 300 received dexamethasone 12 mg twice, 12 hours apart 48 hours before
delivery. 300 patients were the control group.
The outcomes were: incidence of admission to neonatal intensive care unit (NICU), incidence
of transient tachypnea of newborn (TTN), the incidence of respiratory distress syndrome (RDS)
and the need for mechanical ventilation.