A study finds that repeated courses of steroids to women in preterm labor do not result in brain damage of the baby in the womb as believed and that the treatment enhances the survival rate of the babies.

Previous studies showed neurological complications from multiple courses of dexamethasone, a steroid prepared with sulfur. However, clinicians do not use that steroid anymore and have switched to sulfur-free steroids, such as betamethasone. The study was based on infants who received betamethasone prior to birth, and they did not show the same adverse effects as previous studies.