Current recommendations for antenatal glucocorticoid administration are applicable to women at which gestational age?

The recommended gestational age for antenatal glucocorticoid administration is typically between 23 weeks to 36 weeks and 6 days, as this is the timeframe when the benefits of glucocorticoids in promoting fetal lung maturity are most pronounced. Administering glucocorticoids during this period has been shown to significantly reduce the risk of respiratory distress syndrome and other complications related to prematurity, thus improving neonatal outcomes.

Given that the use of glucocorticoids is crucial in the management of preterm labor and has specific efficacy within this gestational window, other options fall outside the ranges indicated by current guidelines. For instance, administration before 23 weeks falls outside the recommended range due to insufficient evidence supporting effectiveness and risks associated with early interventions. Similarly, administering glucocorticoids after 36 weeks may not provide the same prenatal benefits as the fetus is nearing term, where the risk of complications related to prematurity is significantly lower. Lastly, administering glucocorticoids at any gestational age is not supported by the evidence available, as the therapeutic benefits are specific to the identified time frame. Therefore, the focus on the gestational age of 23 to 36 weeks and 6 days is aligned with clinical