Corticosteroid Guidance for Pregnancy during COVID-19 Pandemic

Abstract

The novel coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic is causing a necessary, rapid adjustment within the field of obstetrics. Corticosteroid use is a mainstay of therapy for those women delivering prematurely. Unfortunately, corticosteroid use has been associated with worse outcomes in COVID-19 positive patients. Given this information, it is necessary that obstetricians adjust practice to carefully weigh the fetal benefits with maternal risks. Therefore, our institution has examined the risks and benefits and altered our corticosteroid recommendations. Key Points Corticosteroid use is an important part of prematurity treatment because it provides benefit to the fetus. Corticosteroid use may be related with increased morbidity and mortality in novel coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Therefore, during the COVID-19 pandemic, an alteration in current corticosteroid practices is necessary to uniquely weigh the maternal risks and fetal benefits.