Effect of antenatal betamethasone and dexamethasone administration on fetal heart rate variability in growth-retarded fetuses.
OBJECTIVE
To study the effect of betamethasone and dexamethasone on fetal heart rate in 55 growth-retarded fetuses.


METHODS
Fifty-five fetuses with intrauterine growth retardation were exposed in utero to betamethasone (group 1, n = 32) or dexamethasone (group 2; n = 17). Six fetuses received both steroids alternatively at weekly intervals. Computerized cardiotocograms were recorded and analyzed retrospectively. Traces were obtained before, 1 day, 2 days and 4-7 days after treatment was started.


RESULTS
One day after treatment was started, both steroids were associated with an initial increase in fetal heart rate variation that was higher with dexamethasone. Short-term variation was significantly decreased during the betamethasone course. All parameters returned to their pretreatment values within a week.


CONCLUSIONS
Dexamethasone and betamethasone had similar effects compatible with a transient damping effect on fetal heart rate variability that reached significance only with betamethasone.
Multon
O
O
Fetal Medicine Unit, Hôpital Antoine-Beclere, Clamart, France.
Senat
M V
MV
Minoui
S
S
Hue
M V
MV
Frydman
R
R
Ville
Y
Y
D001623:Betamethasone / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003907:Dexamethasone / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005260:Female; D005317:Fetal Growth Retardation / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology; D005938:Glucocorticoids / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006340:Heart Rate, Fetal / Q000187:drug effects*; D006801:Humans; D011247:Pregnancy; D011295:Prenatal Care / Q000379:methods*; D012189:Retrospective Studies
D005938:Glucocorticoids; D003907:Dexamethasone; D001623:Betamethasone