• Keisha Y Dyer, Jesus R Alvarez, Charbel G Salamon, Joseph J Apuzzio, Manuel Alvarez, and Abdulla Al-Khan.
• Division of Maternal Fetal Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Hackensack University Medical Center, Hackensack, New Jersey, USA. kedyer@ucsd.edu
• J Reprod Med. 2010 Mar 1; 55 (3-4): 124-8.

ObjectiveTo compare the incidence of respiratory distress syndrome (RDS) in African American and Caucasian neonates after antenatal betamethasone or dexamethasone.Study DesignThis was a retrospective review of all deliveries occurring at < or = 32 weeks' gestation at Hackensack University Medical Center from 2001 to 2004. Only patients who received a complete course of antenatal steroids were included. The type (betamethasone or dexamethasone) was based on pharmacy supply. Statistical analysis was performed using Pearson's chi2 and Fisher's exact test.ResultsThe African American (n = 32) and Caucasian (n = 86) groups were similar in terms of maternal age, gestational age and infant birth weight. African Americans receiving dexamethasone had a 1.65-fold increased risk of delivering infants with RDS as compared to those who received betamethasone (91.3% vs. 55.6%, respectively; p = 0.038). No difference was noted among Caucasians.ConclusionAmong African American neonates, the incidence of RDS was higher in those who received dexamethasone vs. betamethasone.

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