-Other outcomes
We did not find direct evidence about low birthweight. May be no
difference between betamethasone vs. control on maternal death: OR 0.98
(95%CI 0.06-15.90). Dexamethasone and betamethasone probably reduce
perinatal death: OR 0.62 (95%CI 0.33-1.18) and 0.66 (95%CI 0.48-0.91),
respectively (Test for subgroup differences shows no disparity; P: 0.86,
I² 0%). Dexamethasone may increase chronic lung disease and
betamethasone may reduce this outcome, but the 95%CI is also be
compatible with large beneficial or detrimental effect: OR 1.30 (95%CI
0.57-2.96) and 0.75 (95%CI 0.22-2.62), respectively (Test for subgroup
differences shows no disparity; P: 0.47, I² 0%).
We did not find direct evidence regarding maternal death, perinatal
death, and we found scarce evidence about low birth weight and chronic
lung disease and they were assessed only by pairwise meta-analysis.
Compared with betamethasone, dexamethasone may reduce these outcomes,
however the 95%CI is compatible with large beneficial or detrimental
effect: OR 0.75 (95%CI 0.33-1.71, low-CE) and OR 0.92 (95%CI
0.62-1.37) respectively (forest-plots in Appendix S5 ).
Meta-regression did not find
statistically significant differences. The subgroup and sensitivity
analysis did not reveal important changes regarding the main analysis.
All the 95%CI were compatible with beneficial or detrimental effects
(Appendix S9 ).
DISCUSSION