The C*Steroid Trial: Corticosteroids before planned caesarean section from 35+0 to 39+6 weeks of pregnancy

Background

In New Zealand and Australia, over 50 000 babies are born by planned caesarean section (CS) each year and rates continue to rise. Planned CS poses some risk to babies, in particular, the need for admission to the neonatal unit (NNU) for breathing support which means mothers are separated from their baby. When given to mothers expecting a preterm birth, corticosteroid injections save babies’ lives and improve neonatal and childhood health. This knowledge has led clinicians to prescribe corticosteroids before a planned CS at or near term. Limited research in this area has shown that as well as benefits on neonatal breathing corticosteroids may lower baby’s blood sugar levels and so possibly cause harm. The C*STEROID Trial is a multi-centre, placebo-controlled, randomised trial across New Zealand and Australia able to assess the effects of corticosteroids on newborn and childhood health when given to mothers prior to a planned CS at or near term. It will provide the first high-quality evidence on the balance between benefit and harm of corticosteroids in this setting. It will reliably inform clinical practice for more than one in ten of all future births in New Zealand and Australia.

Aim

To measure the effect of maternal betamethasone compared to placebo on the incidence of neonatal respiratory distress and on neonatal hypoglycaemia.

Progress

Recruitment to commence.

Research Team: Kate Jarrett, Jasmine Wood, Helen Kay, Gabby Rowsell, Bianca Ryan, Dr Shannyn Rosser, Dr Matthew Daly