WHO recommendations on antenatal corticosteroids for improving preterm birth outcomes.

Published by World Health Organization on Apr 3, 2025

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Abstract

WHO recommendations on antenatal corticosteroids for improving preterm birth outcomes

ISBN 978-92-4-005729-6 (electronic version)
ISBN 978-92-4-005730-2 (print version)

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en-gb

PICOS

PICO 60.1

Population
Pregnant women at risk of imminent preterm birth - All randomized women
Intervention
Antenatal corticosteroids
Comparator
Placebo or no treatment
Outcomes

PICO 60.2

Population
Pregnant women at risk of imminent preterm birth - Gestational age at therapy
Intervention
Corticosteroids
Comparator
Placebo or no treatment
Outcomes

PICO 60.3

Population
Pregnant women at risk of imminent preterm birth - Interval
Intervention
Corticosteroids
Comparator
Placebo or no treatment
Outcomes

PICO 60.4

Population
Pregnant women at risk of imminent preterm birth - Population of women with singleton or multiple pregnancies
Intervention
Corticosteroids
Comparator
Placebo or no treatment
Outcomes

PICO 60.5

Population
Pregnant women at risk of imminent preterm birth - intact or ruptured amniotic membranes
Intervention
Corticosteroids
Comparator
Placebo or no treatment
Outcomes

PICO 60.6

Population
Pregnant women at risk of imminent preterm birth -Repeat course compared to a single course
Intervention
Repeat corticosteroids
Comparator
Single course of corticosteroids
Outcomes

PICO 60.7

Population
Pregnant women at risk of imminent preterm birth -Subgroup analysis: number of repeats
Intervention
Repeat corticosteroids
Comparator
Single course of corticosteroids
Outcomes

PICO 60.8

Population
Pregnant women at risk of imminent preterm birth -interval between repeat doses
Intervention
Repeat corticosteroids
Comparator
Single course of corticosteroids
Outcomes

PICO 60.9

Population
Pregnant women at risk of imminent preterm birth - Type and regimen of antenatal corticosteroids
Intervention
Dexamethasone
Comparator
Betamethasone
Outcomes

PICO 60.10

Population
Pregnant women at risk of imminent preterm birth - Type and regimen of antenatal corticosteroids
Intervention
Dexamethasone: oral
Comparator
Dexamethasone: intramuscular
Outcomes

PICO 60.11

Population
Pregnant women at risk of imminent preterm birth - Type and regimen of antenatal corticosteroids
Intervention
Betamethasone 12 hourly
Comparator
Betamethasone 24 hourly
Outcomes

PICO 60.12

Population
Pregnant women at risk of imminent preterm birth - Type and regimen of antenatal corticosteroids
Intervention
Betamethasone acetate + phosphate
Comparator
betamethasone phosphate
Outcomes

PICO 60.13

Population
Pregnant women at risk of imminent preterm birth - women with pregestational diabetes or gestational diabetes
Intervention
Corticosteroids
Comparator
Placebo or not treatment
Outcomes

PICO 60.14

Population
Pregnant women at risk of imminent preterm birth - with or without hypertensive disorders
Intervention
Corticosteroids
Comparator
Placebo or no treatment
Outcomes

PICO 60.15

Population
Pregnant women at risk of imminent preterm birth - fetal growth restriction...
Intervention
Corticosteroids
Comparator
Placebo or no treatment
Outcomes

PICO 60.16

Population
Pregnant women at risk of imminent preterm birth - with or without chorioamnionitis.
Intervention
Corticosteroids
Comparator
Placebo or no treatment
Outcomes

PICO 60.17

Population
Pregnant women at risk of imminent preterm birth - undergoing caesarean section (34-38,6)
Intervention
Corticosteroids
Comparator
Placebo or no treatment
Outcomes

PICO 60.18

Population
Pregnant women at risk of imminent preterm birth - undergoing caesarean section (≥37 weeks)
Intervention
Corticosteroids
Comparator
Placebo or no treatment
Outcomes