Singap Med J
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Preterm birth (PTB; delivery prior to 37 weeks' gestation) is the leading cause of early childhood death in Singapore today. Approximately 9% of Singaporean babies are born preterm; the PTB rate is likely to increase given the increased use of assisted reproduction technologies, changes in the incidence of gestational diabetes/high body mass index and the ageing maternal population. ⋯ The dexamethasone regimen used in Singapore today affords a very high maternofetal drug exposure over a brief period of time. Drawing on clinical and experimental data, we reviewed the pharmacokinetic profile and pharmacodynamic effects of dexamethasone treatment regimen in Singapore, with a view to creating a development pipeline for optimising this critically important antenatal therapy.