Role of antenatal steroids in late preterm patients

Preterm birth remains a major cause of neonatal morbidity and mortality, with late preterm infants (34–36 weeks of gestation) being particularly vulnerable to complications such as respiratory distress, hypoglycemia, and other adverse outcomes. Emerging evidence supports the use of antenatal corticosteroids in this population, demonstrating a reduction in respiratory complications and a decreased need for neonatal intensive care unit admissions. Nonetheless, concerns persist regarding potential adverse effects, including an increased incidence of neonatal hypoglycemia. This review explores current literature on the use of antenatal corticosteroids in late preterm pregnancies, focusing on pharmacokinetics, comparative efficacy of various corticosteroid regimens, and both fetal and maternal outcomes. The findings underscore the clinical value of corticosteroid therapy in enhancing neonatal respiratory adaptation and improving perinatal outcomes. However, further research is essential to fully delineate the risk–benefit profile of this intervention and to refine existing clinical guidelines.