McKinlay, ChristopherCrowther, CarolineMiddleton, PHarding, Jane2011-10-252014-04-242012American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology 206(3):187-194 20120002-9378https://hdl.handle.net/2292/22028Administration of antenatal glucocorticoids to women at risk of preterm birth has major benefits for infants but the use of repeat dose(s) is controversial. We performed a systematic review of randomized trials, using standard Cochrane methodology, to assess the effectiveness and safety of 1 or more repeat doses given to women at risk of preterm birth 7 or more days after an initial course. Ten trials were included involving over 4730 women and 5700 infants. Treatment with repeat dose(s) compared with no repeat treatment reduced the risk of respiratory distress syndrome (risk ratio, 0.83; 95% confidence interval, 0.75-0.91) and serious neonatal morbidity (risk ratio, 0.84; 95% confidence interval, 0.75-0.94). At 2- to 3-year follow-up (4 trials, 4170 children), there was no evidence of either significant benefit or harm. Repeat doses of glucocorticoids should be considered in women at risk of preterm birth 7 or more days after an initial course, in view of the neonatal benefits.Items in ResearchSpace are protected by copyright, with all rights reserved, unless otherwise indicated. Previously published items are made available in accordance with the copyright policy of the publisher. Details obtained from http://www.sherpa.ac.uk/romeo/issn/0002-9378/https://researchspace.auckland.ac.nz/docs/uoa-docs/rights.htmJournal Article10.1016/j.ajog.2011.07.04221982021http://purl.org/eprint/accessRights/RestrictedAccess1097-6868S0002-9378(11)00959-8