Steroid before early C-Section may prevent baby breathing issues and emergency deliveries
NCT ID NCT00446953
First seen Jun 24, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026 · Updated 1 time
Summary
This study compared two groups of women having planned C-sections: one group had the surgery at 38 weeks after receiving two steroid shots (betamethasone) to speed up the baby's lung development, while the other group had the surgery at 39 weeks without steroids. The goal was to see if the 38-week approach could prevent emergency C-sections caused by labor starting before the planned date, without increasing the risk of newborn breathing problems. The trial enrolled 200 women and tracked rates of neonatal respiratory distress.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only — not medical advice or a prediction.
- Active substance
- betamethasone (a steroid given to the mother to speed up baby's lung development)
- What this could lead to
- If it works, this could offer a safer way to schedule C-sections at 38 weeks, reducing emergency surgeries and newborn breathing problems.
- What could go wrong
- This is a small, completed Phase 4 trial with 200 participants, so results may not apply to all pregnancies. Steroids carry some risks, and the benefit may be modest.
This is an AI summary of the original study and may miss details. Read our disclaimer.
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Conditions
The condition(s) this trial relates to.
As listed by the trial registrant
The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.
Contacts and locations
Locations
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Centre Hospitalier de Haguenau
Haguenau, 67504, France
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Cmco-Sihcus
Schiltigheim, 67303, France
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Hôpital de Hasenrain
Mulhouse, 68051, France
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Hôpital de Hautepierre
Strasbourg, 67000, France
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Le Parc Centre pour la Mère et l'Enfant
Colmar, 68000, France