Spotlight on Antenatal Corticosteroids for Preterm Respiratory Distress Syndrome
Studies have found that the antenatal corticosteroid (ACS) injection for women at risk of preterm delivery is the most effective intervention to reduce the risk of Respiratory Distress Syndrome (RDS) for preterm babies, and is the standard of care in most high-income countries—reducing neonatal mortality by 31 percent and moderate/severe RDS by 45 percent. Unfortunately, in middle- and low-income, high-burden countries, ACS coverage is only 10 percent.