Could half the usual steroid dose protect preterm babies just as well?

NCT ID NCT05114096

Recruiting now Disease control Sponsor: McMaster University Source: ClinicalTrials.gov ↗

First seen Jun 24, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026 · Updated 1 time

Summary

This study tests whether giving pregnant people at risk of preterm birth half the usual dose of a steroid (Celestone) works as well as the full dose to prevent serious health problems in their babies. About 3,250 participants will receive either one or two doses after an initial shot. The goal is to see if a lower dose can still reduce risks like breathing trouble and brain bleeding without losing effectiveness.

What this could mean

Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only — not medical advice or a prediction.

Active substance: Celestone (betamethasone)
What this could lead to: If successful, this could show that a lower steroid dose is just as effective for preterm babies, reducing potential side effects from higher doses.
What could go wrong: This is a large phase 4 trial, but the lower dose might not protect babies as well as the standard dose, increasing risks of breathing problems or other complications.

This is an AI summary of the original study and may miss details. Read our disclaimer.

Get updates

Get notified about this study

Our safety recommendation!

By submitting, you agree to our Terms of use

Conditions

The condition(s) this trial relates to.

Obstetric Labor, Premature pregnancy disorder Premature Birth newborn respiratory distress syndrome prevention target

As listed by the trial registrant

The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.

COMPLICATION OF PREMATURITY OBSTETRIC LABOR, PREMATURE PREGNANCY COMPLICATIONS PREMATURE BIRTH PRETERM BIRTH

Contacts and locations

Locations

(CIUSSS de l'Estrie-CHUS); Université de Sherbrooke
RECRUITING

Sherbrooke, Quebec, Canada
Alberta Health Services; University of Alberta
RECRUITING

Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
Dalhousie University; Izaak Walton Killam Health
RECRUITING

Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada
Dr. Everett Chalmers Regional Hospital
RECRUITING

Fredericton, New Brunswick, Canada
Fraser Health, University of British Columbia; Jim Pattison Outpatient Care and Surgery Centre
NOT_YET_RECRUITING

Surrey, British Columbia, Canada
Hopital Maisonneuve Rosemont, CIUSSS de l'est de l'Ile de Montréal
RECRUITING

Montreal, Quebec, H1T 2M4, Canada
McGill University, McGill University Health Center, Royal Victoria Hospital
RECRUITING

Montreal, Quebec, Canada
McMaster University
RECRUITING

Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
Memorial University, Eastern Health
NOT_YET_RECRUITING

St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada
Mount Sinai Hospital
RECRUITING

Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Queen's University, Kingston General Hospital Health Sciences Centre
RECRUITING

Kingston, Ontario, Canada
Royal Columbian Hospital
NOT_YET_RECRUITING

New Westminster, British Columbia, Canada
Sir Mortimer B. Davis Jewish General Hospital; McGill University
NOT_YET_RECRUITING

Montreal, Quebec, Canada
Sunnybrook Health Sciences Center
RECRUITING

Toronto, Ontario, Canada
The Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Sainte-Justine, Université de Montréal
RECRUITING

Montreal, Quebec, Canada
The Moncton Hospital, Horizon Health Network
RECRUITING

Moncton, New Brunswick, Canada
University of British Columbia; BC Women's Hospital
NOT_YET_RECRUITING

Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
University of Calgary, Cumming School of Medicine
RECRUITING

Calgary, Alberta, Canada
University of Manitoba, Health Sciences Centre
NOT_YET_RECRUITING

Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
University of Manitoba; St. Boniface General Hospital
NOT_YET_RECRUITING

Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
University of Ottawa; The Ottawa Hospital
RECRUITING

Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
University of Saskatchewan, Regina General Hospital
NOT_YET_RECRUITING

Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada
Université Laval, Centre de recherche du CHU de Québec
RECRUITING

Québec, Quebec, Canada
Victoria General Hospital
NOT_YET_RECRUITING

Victoria, British Columbia, Canada
Western University; London Health Sciences Centre, Victoria Hospital
RECRUITING

London, Ontario, Canada

More trials for these conditions

Other studies related to the condition(s) this trial covers.