Rescue corticosteroids in twin pregnancies and short‐term neonatal outcomes

Objective To estimate the efficacy of a rescue course of antenatal corticosteroids in twin pregnancies. Design Retrospective cohort study. Setting Tertiary‐care centre. Population Twins born from 24 to 21% (6.3 ± 4.3 versus 33.3 ± 25.8 days, P = 0.003), a lower incidence of mechanical ventilation >14 days or death while on mechanical ventilation (0 versus 12.5%, P = 0.016), and a lower incidence of retinopathy of prematurity (0 versus 12.5%, P = 0.016). The proportion of neonates with respiratory distress syndrome did not differ between the groups (adjusted odds ratio 1.28, 95% confidence interval 0.50–3.26). There were no differences found for birthweight, head circumference and length. Conclusions In twins born before 34 weeks of gestation, exposure to rescue corticosteroids may be associated with improved neonatal outcomes. Further studies are warranted to assess the effect of rescue corticosteroids in twin pregnancies.