Fetal lung maturation injection: benefits, side effects?

If the baby is at risk of being born too early, the mother should get lung maturation shots before birth. Lung maturation injections work to help the fetus's lungs develop more quickly. This reduces the risk of postpartum complications such as neonatal respiratory distress and reduces the risk of death in premature infants.

Premature birth is when a baby is born before the 37th week of pregnancy. One of the common risks in premature babies is respiratory failure after birth because their lungs are not fully developed. Therefore, for mothers at risk of preterm birth, it is necessary to receive injections of lung maturation before birth. This medicine helps your baby's lungs develop faster.

There are many studies reporting the benefits and harms of this treatment. Because of the nature of the lung maturation injection drug, it is a drug belonging to the steroid group. That's why it's also known as prenatal steroid therapy.

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• 1. What can lung maturation injections help children?
• 2. Are there any side effects from the lung maturation injection?
• 3. At what stage of pregnancy should lung maturation injections be given?
• 4. How long is the lung maturation injection effective?
• 5. Who should get lung maturation injections during pregnancy?
• 6. When is corticosteroids not needed?

1. What can lung maturation injections help children?

1.1. What is the lung maturation injection method?

Lung maturation injections , also known as steroid injections or corticosteroids, are synthetic forms of a naturally occurring human hormone. When a pregnant woman is given steroid injections, the medicine travels to the baby's body and lungs through the bloodstream. A course of prenatal steroid treatment usually consists of two injections, given 24 hours apart.

When used between 24 and 34 weeks of pregnancy, steroids can greatly speed up the baby's lung development. This result increases the chances of survival for many premature babies.

According to one report, a total of 30 studies involving about 7,800 women experienced the effects of this treatment.

1.2 The proven benefits of prenatal steroid treatment for infants include:

• Increases the chances of survival of premature babies after being born.
• Reduce the risk of serious postpartum complications such as: respiratory failure, bleeding in the brain, necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC).

Lung maturation injections help increase the chances of survival of premature babies and other serious complications.

In fact, just one course of steroids (two injections 24 hours apart) is enough to help a baby's lungs function better after birth.

A second course of steroid therapy may be considered if delivery can be delayed for more than a week after the first course. A total of 10 studies, involving about 4,700 women, looked at the effects of a second course of steroid treatment. These studies suggest that a second course of therapy may also have benefits, such as reducing the risk of the breathing problems and other serious consequences listed above.

2. Are there any side effects from the lung maturation injection?

When pregnant women took a course of steroids, no adverse effects were noted in the infant. However, side effects are more likely to occur with more than one course of treatment. Specifically, shortly after birth, children whose mothers had more than one course of treatment weighed less than children whose mothers received only one injection. However, most babies "catch up" in size within a few months. In addition, studies have not found any evidence that affects children's long-term development.

Steroid treatment also does not have any serious side effects in pregnant women. About 1 in 100 women who receive a second course of steroid therapy experience temporary sleep disturbances shortly after childbirth. However, many women who are not treated with steroids also have problems sleeping after pregnancy.

3. At what stage of pregnancy should lung maturation injections be given?

Corticosteroids are most useful if given to the mother between 24 weeks and 34 weeks and 6 days of pregnancy. If the mother gives birth by cesarean section, it is best from 35 weeks to 38 weeks and 6 days.

Corticosteroids are most useful if given to the mother between 24 weeks and 34 weeks 6 days of pregnancy

See also: The formation and development of the fetus in the womb

4. How long is the lung maturation injection effective?

Corticosteroids are most effective for expectant mothers 24 hours to 1 week after the second dose. However, this treatment can still be beneficial even if the baby is born within 24 hours of the first dose. first.

5. Who should get lung maturation injections during pregnancy?

You may be advised to get a lung maturation shot if your chances of having a baby are increased before 35 weeks of pregnancy. These signs include:

• The mother went into labor before 35 weeks.
• The mother suspects that she will give birth prematurely, although the condition is still uncertain.
• Vaginal bleeding or premature rupture of membranes before 35 weeks.
• In some cases, early birth can be beneficial for both mother and baby. For example, in the case of an intrauterine growth retardation, the mother has serious health problems.
• Mother has severe preeclampsia.

Also, if you're planning to have a cesarean section before 39 weeks of pregnancy, your doctor may consider corticosteroids to reduce your baby's risk of breathing problems.

If the mother has diabetes before pregnancy or has gestational diabetes. You may need to stay in the hospital for monitoring because corticosteroids will raise blood sugar.

See also: Notes to know about Gestational Diabetes Test!

If the mother has diabetes before pregnancy or has gestational diabetes. You may need to stay in the hospital for monitoring because corticosteroids will raise blood sugar.

6. When is corticosteroids not needed?

Lung maturation injections are used only in the event of a possible event. This is called preventive treatment.

If you have previously had an early pregnancy, multiple pregnancy, or have had previous cervical procedures, prophylactic corticosteroid therapy early in pregnancy is not recommended. Because there is no evidence that this medicine will help your baby.

Prenatal lung maturation injections help the lungs of premature babies develop better. However, in some cases, such as premature birth, the baby still needs respiratory support after birth. In addition, premature babies may need special care. Therefore, if the mother is at risk of giving birth to a premature baby during antenatal care, she should go to reputable obstetrics and gynecology facilities for advice and good management of mother and baby health before and after birth.

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