1364 PROTECIIVE ROLE OF BETAMETHASONE(B) ON RLF IN NEWBOENS WITH BIRTH WEIGHT OF <1000GMS

Antenatal B has been shown to decrease the incidence and severity of RDS. Among low birth weight infants RLF remains the most common serious complication after intraventricular hemorrhage. Steroids have been used postnatally in an attempt to treat RLF, without success. However, the possible protective role of steroids has not been evaluated. In view of the extensive use of B in our center, we have assessed by multivariant analysis its effect on RLF. Among 204 infants in the 1000-1500gms category, no statistically significant difference was found between those who received B and those who did not. However, among the 51 infants weighing