Impact of antenatal glucocorticoid therapy and risk of preterm delivery on intelligence in term-born children

Context: Women at risk of preterm delivery are routinely treated with synthetic glucocorticoids (sGCs). Although this therapy substantially reduces neonatal morbidity, concerns remain whether sGC excess may disrupt neurodevelopmental trajectories underlying cognitive functioning. Objective: The present study is the first to disentangle direct effects of antenatal sGC treatment on possible long-term cognitive disadvantages from those of pregnancy complications and prematurity. Design, Setting, and Participants: This cross-sectional study included a mixed-sex cohort of 222 term-born children (aged 6–11 years) consisting of three groups: children of mothers admitted to hospital for threatening…