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Comparison of respiratory distress syndrome amongst preterm twins (28-34 Weeks) born within and after two weeks of completion of single antenatal corticosteroid course: A bidirectional cohort study Cover

Comparison of respiratory distress syndrome amongst preterm twins (28-34 Weeks) born within and after two weeks of completion of single antenatal corticosteroid course: A bidirectional cohort study

Open Access
|Apr 2022

Figures & Tables

Figure 1

Flow chart of the study.

Table1

Maternal demographic and obstetrics variables in the two groups

Baseline maternal characteristics<14 Days Group A>14 Days Group B
(N=134)(N=134)
AGE years19-25 years62(46.27%)47(35.07%)0.017a
26-34 years66(49.25%)69(51.49%)(𝑥2 = 8.13)
≥35 years6(4.48%)18(13.43%)
EDUCATIONIlliterate2(1.4%)1(0.7%)0.531
(𝑥2 =7.05)
Primary16(11.9%)15(11.5%)
Middle53(39.5%)50(37.3%)
Higher49 (36.5%)49(36.6%)
Graduation14 (10.4%)19(14.2%)
PARITYPrimigravida101(75.67%)98 (73.13%)0.675
(𝑥2 =0.17)
Multigravida33 (24.33%)36 (26.87%)
TYPE OF STEROIDBetamethasone246196<0.0001 a
(𝑥2 = 32.25)
Dexamethasone2272
MODE OF CONCEPTIONSPONTANEOUS (n=141)83(61.94%)58(43.28%)0.002* (𝑥2 = 17.25)
ASSISTED (n=127)51 (40.2%)76 (59.8%)
CHORIONICITYMonochorionic (n=58)26(19.40%)32(23.88%)0.373 (𝑥2 =0.79)
Dichorionic (n=210)108(80.60%)102(76.12%)
COMORBIDITYHTDb (n=58)26(19.40%)32(23.88%)0.013 a
𝑥2 =(8.88)
Preterm premature rupture of membranes63(23.5%)17(6.3%)<0.00001 a (𝑥2 = 31.5)
GESTATIONAL AGE at DELIVERYMean ± SDc31.5(±2.09)32.6 (± 1.75)<0.001 a
28-29+6(n=52)38(28.36%)14(10.45%)<.001 a
(𝑥2 =40.716)
30-32+6(n=68)39(29.10%)29(21.64%)
33-34 (n=148)57(42.54%)91(67.91%)
MODE OF DELIVERYCaesarean (n=232)95(35.4%)137(51.1%)<0.001 a
(𝑥2 =13.40)
Vaginal (n=304)173(64.6%)131(48.9%)

[i] a- significant. b- Hypertensive disorders. c-SD= standard deviation.

Table 2

Multivariable regression analysis of factors influencing respiratory distress syndrome and neonatal deaths

Variable (Reference Group)RDS (respiratory distress syndrome)Neonatal Deaths
ARRa (95% CIb)P-valueARRa (95% CIb)P-value
Steroid Group B
(Ref-GroupA)
1.09
(0.84-1.4)
0.5101.06
(0.620-1.8)
0.810
Twin Order 2
(Ref-Twin order1)
1.012
(0.790-1.2)
0.9211.20
(0.72-2.00)
0.484
Twin Dichorionic
(Ref-monochrionic)
1.01
(0.744-1.3)
0.9201.11
(0.53- 2.30)
0.778
Period of Gestation(weeks)
(Ref-33-33+6weeks)
28-29+61.84
(1.17-2.8)
0.008c1.75
(0.48-6.3)
0.392
30-32+61.75
(1.1-2.5)
0.004c1.49
(0.405-5.52)
0.545
Caesarean Delivery
(Ref-Vaginal Delivery) -
1.28
(0.95-1.7)
0.1020.987
(0.454-2.14)
0.975
Birth Weight
(Ref- ≥ 2kg)
<1 kg5.60
(2.7-11.2)
0.0011 c26.06
(2.37-285.5)
0.008 c
1-1.49 kg5.23
(2.8-9.6)
0.0001 c6.30
(0.619-64.09)
0.120
1.5-1.99 kg2.8
(1.5-5)
0.001 c0.716
(0.434-11.82)
0.816
1 min Apgar<
(Ref- I min Apgar score>7)
2.46
(0.81-7.41)
0.110
Sex Male
(Ref- Female)
1.07
(0.62-1.82)
0.802

[i] a- ARR= adjusted relative risk, b-CI=confidence interval. c- significant

Table 3

Propensity-matched scoring

OutcomeGroupingMatched PairsAdjusted Relative Risk (95% CIa)P-value
RDSb<14 vs >14 daysGrp A (n=180)ref
Grp B (n=180)1.13 (0.93-1.33)0.231
NDc<14 vs >14 daysGrp A (n=180)ref
Grp B (n=180)2.0 (1.03-3.88)0.017
RDS<7 vs >7 daysGrp A (n=161)ref
Grp B (n=161)1.04 (0.84-1.28)0.722
ND<7 vs >7 daysGrp A (n=161)ref
Grp B (n=161)1.85 (0.97-3.50)0.052

[i] a- CI: confidence interval. b-RDS: respiratory Distress Syndrome. c- ND: Neonatal death.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.34763/jmotherandchild.20212504.d-21-00034 | Journal eISSN: 2719-535X | Journal ISSN: 2719-6488
Language: English
Page range: 260 - 268
Submitted on: Nov 26, 2021
Accepted on: Jan 20, 2022
Published on: Apr 18, 2022
Published by: Institute of Mother and Child
In partnership with: Paradigm Publishing Services
Publication frequency: 1 issue per year

© 2022 Monisha J Arulalan, Gowri Dorairajan, Nivedita Mondal, Palanivel Chinnakali, published by Institute of Mother and Child
This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.