Preterm birth is a major cause of infant illness and even death. Infants need surfactant in order to have normal lung function. When infants get RDS they have difficulties breathing and often require oxygen and the use of a machine to help them breathe.
Intraventricular haemorrhage refers to bleeding inside the baby s brain.
RDS and IVH are two conditions that often lead to long term problems and can even contribute to an infant's death. To help prevent these complications you have already received a course of antenatal corticosteroids. Most research studies show that this treatment is beneficial if it is given between 24 hours and 7 days before your baby is born. We do not know how long the benefit from this treatment lasts. If you are still pregnant 14-21 days after this treatment and are at risk of preterm delivery, you may benefit from receiving multiple courses of antenatal corticosteroids.