Journal of tropical pediatrics
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Randomized Controlled Trial
The combined antenatal corticosteroids and vitamin K therapy for preventing periventricular-intraventricular hemorrhage in premature newborns less than 35 weeks gestation.
We prospectively evaluated whether combined antenatal corticosteroid and vitamin K administration have any benefit, over and above that of corticosteroid or vitamin K used alone, in reducing the frequency and the degree of PIVH in premature newborns less than 35 weeks' gestation. All of these 280 pregnant women were randomly allocated into five groups according to the in-patient sequence. Group A (vitamin K1 group) including 38 pregnant women (40 newborns) received antenatal intramuscular or intravenously injection of vitamin K1 10 mg per day for 2-7 days. ⋯ After antenatal supplement of dexamethasone and vitamin K1, both the total incidence of PIVH and the frequency of severe PIVH decreased significantly. The total and severe incidence of PIVH in Group B (single doses dexamethasone) and Group C (two courses dexamethasone) there were no significant difference. It showed that after antenatal supplement of dexamethasone and vitamin K1, both the total incidence of PIVH and the frequency of severe PIVH decreased significantly, and combined antenatal corticosteroid and vitamin K administration have much benefit, over and above that of corticosteroid or vitamin K used alone.