Adverse Neonatal Outcomes with a Shortened Clinical Regimen of Dexamethasone.

Respiratory morbidity, including respiratory distress syndrome (RDS), is a serious complication of preterm birth and the leading cause of early neonatal mortality and disability. The effects of antenatal corticosteroid administration on fetal lung maturation have been widely studied in order to counteract such adverse perinatal outcomes of preterm birth. The dexamethasone regimen will be evaluated at different administration frequencies, but at the same total dose. The hypothesis is: The type of dexamethasone regimen administered for fetal lung maturation influences the incidence of perinatal complications.

Prematurity is a major obstacle to achieving goal 4 of the Millennium Development Goals, given its high contribution to neonatal mortality. The survival chances of premature babies vary significantly depending on where they are born. Preterm birth has remained the major contributor to neonatal morbidity and mortality worldwide, accounting for 70% of neonatal deaths.

As a management to reduce neonatal morbidity and mortality secondary to preterm birth, corticosteroid regimens have been established to accelerate fetal lung maturation. The reduction in perinatal complication rates has been widely observed, however, no differentiation has been observed between the incidence of complications according to the scheme applied.

Neonatal complications of preterm birth include respiratory distress syndrome, bronchopulmonary dysplasia, cystic periventricular leukomalacia, patent ductus arteriosus, sepsis, intraventricular hemorrhage, necrotizing enterocolitis, hypothermia, hypoglycemia, hyperbilirubinemia, and feeding difficulties. Long-term morbidity includes retinopathy of prematurity, neurodevelopmental impairment, and cerebral palsy. Of these, respiratory morbidity, including respiratory distress syndrome (RDS), is a serious complication of preterm birth and the leading cause of early neonatal mortality and disability.

Preterm birth rates are highest in low- and lower-middle-income countries (11.8% and 11.3% on average, respectively), while rates are lowest in upper-middle- and high-income countries ( 9.4% and 9.3%, respectively). More than 60% of all premature births worldwide occur in low-resource, high-fertility countries. In Honduras, a study carried out from 1998-2000 at the Maternal and Child Hospital by Portillo M. et al, reported a prevalence of preterm birth of 4.7% (1929 premature births out of 40,786 births).

Experimental. Single-blind, parallel-group, non-inferiority randomized clinical trial.

Eligibility Criteria:
Inclusion Criteria:

1. Delivery of a signed and dated informed consent form.
2. Declared willingness to comply with all study procedures and availability during the duration of the study.
3. Pregnant patient with 20 or more weeks of gestation determined by USG with clinically diagnosed threat of preterm labor (defined as uterine contractions with sufficient progressive frequency and intensity that allow dilation of the cervix before the 37th week of gestation).
4. Pregnant patient admitted and birth in the Maternal and Child Hospital, Labor and Delivery room. Part.
5. Delivery carried out at the Teaching Hospital.
6. Patient with a diagnosis of premature rupture of membranes under conservative management.
7. patient must know how to read and write
8. Possess a cell phone or some other means of communication.
9. Residing in the city of Tegucigalpa, Honduras.

Exclusion Criteria:

1. Patients under 18 years of age.
2. Patient with diagnosed psychiatric illnesses.
3. Pregnant patient with threat of preterm birth who is also diagnosed with preeclampsia with data of severity and intrauterine growth restriction.
4. Pregnant patient with threat of preterm birth who is also diagnosed with premature rupture of membranes.
5. Pregnant patient with threat of preterm birth who is also diagnosed con corioamnionitis.
6. Pregnant patient with threat of preterm birth who is also diagnosed with acute abdomen.
7. Major fetal malformations
8. Fetal death