Corticosteroids to safely reduce neonatal respiratory morbidity after late preterm and term planned caesarean section birth? A randomised placebo-controlled feasibility study

Objectives To assess the feasibility of conducting a randomised placebo-controlled trial of corticosteroids prior to planned caesarean section from 35(+0) to 39(+6) weeks. Design A triple-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel, trial randomised at the participant level (1:1 ratio). Additional feasibility data obtained by questionnaires from trial participants and women who declined trial participation, and focus groups with local site researchers and clinicians. Setting Three obstetric units in New Zealand including tertiary and secondary care; public and private care, and research active and non-active units. Participants Women undergoing a planned caesarean section from 35(+0) to 39(+6) weeks; local site researchers and clinicians. Interventions Two doses of 11.4 mg betamethasone or saline placebo. Questionnaires and focus group meetings. Primary and secondary outcome measures Primary outcome: trial recruitment rate of eligible women. Secondary outcomes: trial recruitment by gestational age, site and delivery indication; proportion of babies who completed measurements of blood glucose concentrations as per protocol; overall incidence neonatal respiratory distress requiring >60 min of respiratory support; overall incidence of neonatal hypoglycaemia, and barriers and enablers to trial participation by participants, researchers and clinicians. Results The recruitment rate was 8.9% (88/987) overall and 11.2% (88/789) for those approached about the trial. Neonatal blood glucose concentrations were measured as per protocol in 87/92 (94.6%) babies. For potential participants, key enablers to participation were contributing to research, a feeling of relevance and a good understanding; key barriers were a lack of understanding and concerns over safety. For researchers and clinicians, themes representing enablers and barriers included relevance, communication and awareness, influences on women's decision-making, resource challenges and trial process practicalities. Conclusions Some women are willing to participate in a randomised placebo-controlled trial of corticosteroids prior to a planned caesarean section birth at late preterm and term gestations. Participation in such a trial can be enhanced.