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.