Use or overuse of antenatal corticosteroids for suspected preterm birth

Objectives: To determine the ratio of women who received antenatal steroid for suspected preterm birth (PTB) to those who actually deliver before 34 weeks of gestation at a tertiary care center. Methods: This is a retrospective study. Data was collected from November 2008 to February 2009 on women who presented with suspected PTB had received corticosteroids (between 26 weeks and 33 weeks-6 days of gestation). Result: More than two-thirds of the women who received antenatal corticosteroids for suspected PTB actually delivered after 34 weeks. Conclusion: The ratio of women who received complete dose of steroids for suspected PTB compared to the number of patients who actually deliver prematurely is high raising doubts about the methods employed to diagnose PTB.