The SNACS Study

The SNACS Study (Single Dose Antenatal Corticosteroids) is an ongoing international study on the use of one versus two doses of antenatal steroids. The SNACS study is a joint effort between Australian and Canadian researchers, parents, and healthcare professionals, with the goal of keeping babies and children safe. This includes around 1 in 12 infants in Canada and 1 in 11 infants in Australia.
In babies that are born very early, antenatal steroids are very helpful. They trigger maturation of the infant’s lungs and other organs (such as the brain & kidneys).
* bowels (i.e., necrotizing enterocolitis) The generic name of one of the most common antenatal steroids is betamethasone, the trade name is Celestone. This study showed that antenatal steroids reduce the risks with being born early.
First, somebody not biased, nowadays a computer, randomly (like flipping a coin)
Preterm birth is difficult to predict. Around half of infants who receive antenatal steroids, are born at or close to term. These studies have shown that one dose is generally similar to two doses in reducing breathing problems.
To better understand this, the SNACS study is an ongoing study comparing one versus two doses of antenatal steroids.<ref name":1" /> The SNACS study also plans to follow the children to at least two years, and hopefully five and 10 years of age.<ref name":1" /> When available, results of the study will be published.
Study details
Study design
The SNACS study is a randomized controlled trial (a type of high-quality research study where a computer randomly assigns participants).<ref name=":1" />
Participants are put into one of two groups after getting their first injection of antenatal steroids.<ref name=":1" />
Half of the participants are assigned to the “two-dose” group and get a second injection of antenatal steroids.<ref name=":1" /> The other half are assigned to the “one-dose” group, and get an injection of placebo (like water).<ref name":1" /> Participants and babies are then followed-up. To prevent bias or prejudice, the two groups are kept secret until the end of the study.<ref name":1" />
Eligibility
To be eligible, people (age 18 to 55 years) must be pregnant with either one or two babies between 22 weeks to 34 weeks and 6 days of pregnancy and be at risk of preterm birth.<ref name":1" /> The pregnant person should have received their first dose of antenatal steroids (i.e., betamethasone) within the last 24 hours.<ref name":1" />

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