Researchers have found in a cohort study that antenatal corticosteroid (ACS) exposure was associated with increased infection risks in full-term children up to age 21. No such association was observed in preterm children born before 34 weeks’ gestation. The findings highlight the need for stricter ACS administration criteria and improved tools to predict preterm birth to reduce potential adverse effects. The study was published in JAMA Network Open by Fabienne D. and colleagues.

Current international guidelines advise against ACS administration prior to 34 weeks of pregnancy to increase fetal lung maturity and subsequent neonatal outcomes in the presence of anticipated preterm birth. Although the benefits of ACS for preterm infants in the short term are well documented, there has been i

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