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Antenatal Corticosteroids for Fetal Lung Development


Generic NameBrand Name
betamethasoneCelestone Soluspan
dexamethasoneCelestone Soluspan

How It Works


If delivery does not occur within 7 days of treatment, the injections should not be repeated.

Why It Is Used

Betamethasone and dexamethasone are corticosteroids, also called glucocorticoids, that are given before birth (antenatally) to speed up a preterm fetus's lung development. Either is used when a mother is in preterm labor and birth may occur in 24 to 48 hours. This helps prevent respiratory distress syndrome (RDS) and related complications following premature birth.


How Well It Works

There is strong evidence that a single course of corticosteroid medicine given to the mother during premature labor improves the outcome for the infant born between 24 and 34 weeks' gestation.1



Side Effects




What To Think About


Repeat courses of corticosteroids given before birth are not recommended.2 They may cause long-term effects on the growing child.3






  3. French NP, et al. (2004). Repeated antenatal corticosteroids: Effects on cerebral palsy and childhood behavior. American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology, 190(3): 588–595.


ByHealthwise Staff
Primary Medical ReviewerSarah Marshall, MD - Family Medicine
Specialist Medical ReviewerWilliam Gilbert, MD - Maternal and Fetal Medicine
Last RevisedJanuary 10, 2011

eMedicineHealth Medical Reference from Healthwise


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