Antenatal Corticosteroids in Early and Late Fetal Growth Restriction

Antenatal corticosteroids are widely used to prevent newborn morbidity and mortality in special obstetric circumstances, especially in preterm birth, but there are ongoing concerns about possible neutral or even detrimental short- and long-term effects in pregnancies complicated by fetal growth restriction. Fetuses with growth restriction may be a subset of preterm infants with a particular vulnerability to steroid exposure. The current scientific evidence on exogenous antenatal corticosteroid effects in this population is not conclusive. Gestational age (early versus late) is a critical issue to assess regarding their use as standard care in this special obstetric circumstance.