The Effect of Antenatal Steroid Therapy on Early Inflammation Markers and Leukocyte Counts in Premature Infants

Abstract

Objective

We investigated the effect of antenatal steroid therapy(AST) on white blood cell (WBC) and neutrophil counts and the inflammatory markers C-reactive protein(CRP), interleukin 6(IL-6), interleukin 10(IL-10), and beta-2 microglobulin(ß2M) in preterm infants.

Materials Method

Neonates born at ≤34 weeks of gestation and admitted at hospital between May and November 2018 were included. The neonates were divided into three groups based on AST dose administered: 24 mg betamethasone (full course), 12 mg betamethasone (incomplete course), and no AST. 170 infants were analyzed.

Results

Of these, 45.2% (n = 77) received a full course of AST, 38.8% (n = 66) received an incomplete course of AST, and 15.8% (n = 27) did not receive AST. WBC, CRP, IL-6, IL-10, and ß2M levels were similar between the three groups, whereas neutrophil count was significantly lower in full course AST group.

Conclusion

Consistent with the literature data, AST was associated with reduced neutrophil count but did not affect the other inflammatory markers studied.

Keywords:

• antenatal steroid
• c-reactive protein
• interleukin 6
• interleukin 10
• macroglobulin

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.