What is the primary reason for administering corticosteroids to a woman in preterm labor at 30 weeks gestation?
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Correct answer: To accelerate fetal lung maturation and surfactant production
Corticosteroids like betamethasone or dexamethasone are given to mothers in preterm labor to stimulate the production of surfactant in the fetal lungs. This significantly reduces the risk of respiratory distress syndrome (RDS) in the neonate.
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