ANTENATAL STEROIDS
Antenatal glucocorticoids decrease the neonatal risk of respiratory distress syndrome (RDS), intraventricular hemorrhage (IVH), NEC and mortality. In particular, trials have consistently confirmed a significant reduction in the frequency of RDS among neonates who received antenatal glucocorticoid therapy resulting in less need for mechanical ventilation and oxygen supplementation, which are risk factors for BPD. However, antenatal glucocorticoid therapy has not decreased the incidence of BPD because the increased survival rate associated with its use results in survival of more infants at risk for BPD.