OBJECTIVE: To conduct a literature review on the use of antenatal corticosteroids for the prevention of peri-intraventricular hemorrhage. DATA SOURCE: Bibliography search in Pubmed and SciELO databases covering the past 20 years using the following key-words: "cerebral hemorrhage", "steroids" and "newborn infant". DATA SYNTHESIS: The peri-intraventricular hemorrhage is an important disease of preterm infants, especially those with less than 34 weeks, due to its serious neurological sequelae. Once the bleeding occurs, there is no specific treatment. Thus, prevention becomes the main goal of the research. Meta-analysis of randomized studies showed that antenatal corticosteroids reduce mortality and the incidence of hyaline membrane disease and peri-intraventricular hemorrhage. The physiologic basis for this protective effect in reducing the risk of peri-intraventricular hemorrhage is not completely clear. Besides accelerating lung maturity, antenatal steroids stimulate the maturation of the microvasculature of the germinal matrix, promote the thickening of the basement membrane, accelerate the formation of protein in tight functions and stabilize the cerebral blood flow. They also improve the birth conditions of preterm babies. CONCLUSIONS: The use of antenatal corticosteroids associated with implementing best practices to assist preterm infants reduces the frequency of peri-intraventricular hemorrhage. Despite its proven efficacy and safety, it is not widely used. Measures should be taken to encourage its use as a routine practice in the care of pregnant women at risk of premature birth.
cerebral hemorrhage; steroids; infant, newborn
