Thousands of Kiwi babies born prematurely could benefit from an improved life-saving treatment programme, a study by New Zealand and Australian medical researchers has found. Every year, more than 4000 babies are born prematurely in New Zealand and many have lifelong health battles. Babies born pre-term whose mothers are given steroids after 24 weeks' gestation are less likely to die and less likely to have severe breathing problems and other serious health problems after birth, compared to premature babies whose mothers do not have the treatment. A study published today in the journal Paediatrics has taken the research a step further - by confirming that giving pregnant women at risk of having premature babies multiple doses of corticosteroids can further improve premature babies' health. Up to 2000 women a year who are at risk of having pre-term babies could be eligible for a treatment programme of repeat doses of corticosteroids funded by the Government, McKinlay said.

Source: New Zealand Herald April 07, 2017 05:10 UTC