Antenatal dexamethasone therapy does not affect circulating concentrations of insulin-like growth factor binding protein-1.
In animals, dexamethasone administration during pregnancy leads to fetal growth restriction due to enhanced expression of insulin-like growth factor binding protein-1 (IGFBP-1). In humans, there is also a significant inverse correlation between maternal and fetal concentrations of IGFBP-1 and birth weight. During pregnancy, maternal IGFBP-1 is derived from the decidualized endometrium. We have studied the effect of dexamethasone on circulating concentrations of IGFBP-1 in 12 pregnant women who received dexamethasone therapy for fetal lung maturation in anticipation of premature delivery before 34 completed weeks of gestation. Blood samples were collected before dexamethasone administration, at 24 h and 48 h after the course of dexamethasone, and within 24 h of delivery, for the measurement of IGFBP-1. There was no significant change in plasma IGFBP-1 concentrations at 24 and 48 h following dexamethasone therapy, and at delivery (P = 0.666, 0.307 and 0.398, respectively). Therefore, antenatal dexamethasone therapy does not influence decidual synthesis of IGFBP-1.
Section of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Imperial College School of Medicine at Chelsea and Westminster Hospital, London, UK.
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O
Ogueh
F A
FA
Hills
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T
Chard
M R
MR
Johnson
D000328:Adult; D003907:Dexamethasone / Q000494:pharmacology*; D005314:Embryonic and Fetal Development / Q000187:drug effects; D005260:Female; D005333:Fetus / Q000502:physiology*; D005938:Glucocorticoids / Q000494:pharmacology*; D006801:Humans; D018970:Insulin-Like Growth Factor Binding Protein 1 / Q000097:blood*; D008168:Lung / Q000187:drug effects / Q000196:embryology; D007752:Obstetric Labor, Premature; D011247:Pregnancy / Q000097:blood*
D005938:Glucocorticoids; D018970:Insulin-Like Growth Factor Binding Protein 1; D003907:Dexamethasone