08-01-2007, 06:16 PM
A 34-year-old woman, gravida 1, para 0, delivers at 32 weeks™ gestation. The infant is cyanotic, grunting, and has retractions. Echocardiography reveals pulmonary hypertension, and a chest x-ray film reveals diffuse, hazy infiltrates. Prenatally administering which of the following agents might have prevented or improved this infant™s condition?
A. Antibiotics covering Streptococcus
B. Aspirin
C. Corticosteroids
D. Magnesium
E. Oxytocin
The correct answer is C. This patient has respiratory distress syndrome of the newborn (hyaline membrane disease), a condition that stems from immature lungs with inadequate surfactant production. The lack of surfactant leads to decreased lung compliance and thus pulmonary hypertension. Had a premature delivery been anticipated, the mother could have received corticosteroids. Corticosteroids trigger an increase in surfactant production, and a more mature lipid profile within the surfactant. In essence, corticosteroids prompt lung maturity in premature infants.
A. Antibiotics covering Streptococcus
B. Aspirin
C. Corticosteroids
D. Magnesium
E. Oxytocin
The correct answer is C. This patient has respiratory distress syndrome of the newborn (hyaline membrane disease), a condition that stems from immature lungs with inadequate surfactant production. The lack of surfactant leads to decreased lung compliance and thus pulmonary hypertension. Had a premature delivery been anticipated, the mother could have received corticosteroids. Corticosteroids trigger an increase in surfactant production, and a more mature lipid profile within the surfactant. In essence, corticosteroids prompt lung maturity in premature infants.