Title: A Randomised Controlled Trial of 12 Hours vs 24 Hours Betamethasone Dosing Interval in Preterm Premature Rupture of Membranes for Prevention of Respiratory Distress Syndrome (RDS) in Neonates

Authors: Dr Pratibha Gupta, Dr Sandeep Sharma, Dr Vinay Kumarth 

 DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.18535/jmscr/v7i8.112

Abstract

Preterm premature rupture of membranes is an important cause of preterm delivery. Management includes antibiotic therapy and a course of steroids. Current approach is to give two doses of steroid betamethasone 24 hours apart. We recruited 100 women with pPROM between 26-34 weeks period of gestation, divided into two groups of 50 each, receiving betamethasone two doses either 12 hours or 24 hours apart. Aim was to see difference in outcome of Respiratory distress syndrome (RDS) and other morbidities like intraventricular heamorrhage (IVH), necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) and Neonatal sepsis. We found no statistical difference in the outcome of RDS and other morbidities except birth asphyxia. We concluded that women with Pprom can be offered course of steroids with 12 hour interval. Moreover it had the advantage of having more women completing the course of steroids before delivery.

Keywords: Preterm premature rupture of membranes (pPROM), respiratory distress syndrome (RDS), steroid, betamethasone.

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Corresponding Author

Dr Sandeep Sharma

Senior Resident, Department of OBG, Indira Gandhi Medical College, Shimla, HP, India