Australian researchers say they have confirmed the benefits for premature babies when their pregnant mothers have taken repeated doses of steroids.
The steroids are used for women at risk of delivering very prematurely and help develop the babies's lungs.
An Adelaide University study indicates that two-year-old children whose mothers took repeated doses of corticosteroids during pregnancy do not show any adverse effects.
Professor Caroline Crowther says the children involved in the study were no more likely to have health or development problems than those born to women who were not given steroids repeatedly.
"Earlier studies when the baby had been born showed significant benefits. By them having been exposed to repeat steroids they had less lung disease and they were less likely to have severe problems while they were in the nursery," she said. © 2007 Australian Broadcasting Corporation
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