Table 1
Possible mechanisms for effects of ante- and postnatal corticosteroids on fetal and newborn lung
| Antenatal corticosteroids | Postnatal corticosteroids | |
|---|---|---|
| Lung growth | Accelerated lung maturation | Accelerated lung maturation |
| Accelerated thinning of double capillary loops | Accelerated thinning of double capillary loops | |
| ↓ Secondary septal formation | ↓ Secondary septal formation | |
| ? Decreased final alveoli number | ? Decreased final alveoli number | |
| ↓ Body weight | ||
| Surfactant | ↑ Lamellar bodies in type II pneumocytes | ↑ SP-A, SP-D |
| ↑ SP-B, SP-C, SP-D | ?↑↓ SP-B, SP-C | |
| ↑↓SP-A depending on gestation | ?↑ Choline incorporation into DPPC | |
| ↑ Choline incorporation into DPPC | ?↑ Concentration of PC | |
| Antioxidant enzymes | Improved survival in rat pups | ? ↑ Antioxidant enzyme activity |
| ↑ Antioxidant enzyme activity | ||
| ↑ Antioxidant activity | ||
| Inflammation | Unknown | ↓ Neutrophils |
| ↓ Tracheal fluid elastase | ||
| ↓ Proinflammatory cytokines | ||
| ? Effect on growth factors |
