Two hundred women patients were randomized to 1 of 6 groups : Early-control ( saline ) ; Early-4 mg ( 4 mg dexamethasone ) ; Early-8 mg ( 8 mg dexamethasone ) ; Late-control ( saline ) ; Late-4 mg ( 4 mg dexamethasone ) ; and Late-8 mg ( 8 mg dexamethasone ) .