Effect of betamethasone on computerized cardiotocographic parameters in preterm growth-restricted fetuses with and without cerebral vasodilation.
OBJECTIVE
To verify the effects of maternal corticosteroid administration on fetal behavior and heart rate variation using computerized cardiotocography (cCTG) in a selected group of growth retarded fetuses.


METHODS
Fifty singleton pregnancies complicated by fetal growth restriction were enrolled in the study before 34 weeks of gestation. All of them received two intramuscular injections of 12 mg of betamethasone 24 h apart. Fetal heart rate was recorded by cCTG before the first injection, and every 24 h for the 3 days following the end of the treatment. After Doppler evaluation of cerebral circulation, fetuses were divided into a group with and a group without signs of cerebral vasodilation. Basal heart rate, short- and long-term variation, percentage of time spent in high variability, fetal movements and percentage of small accelerations were evaluated.


RESULTS
Basal fetal heart rate did not show significant changes. Short-term variation and percentage of time spent in high variability significantly decreased in fetuses with but not in fetuses without vasodilation. Long-term variation and fetal movements significantly decreased in both groups.


CONCLUSIONS
Maternal administration of betamethasone in growth-retarded fetuses with cerebral vasodilation is associated with significant but transitory modifications of fetal heart rate variation.
Frusca
T
T
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Brescia, Italy. tifrusca@tin.it
Soregaroli
M
M
Valcamonico
A
A
Scalvi
L
L
Bonera
R
R
Bianchi
U
U
D001623:Betamethasone / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D015148:Cardiotocography / Q000187:drug effects*; D002560:Cerebrovascular Circulation / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*; D005314:Embryonic and Fetal Development / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology; D005260:Female; D005317:Fetal Growth Retardation / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology; D005938:Glucocorticoids / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006340:Heart Rate, Fetal / Q000187:drug effects; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007236:Infant, Small for Gestational Age / Q000502:physiology; D020768:Middle Cerebral Artery / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D011247:Pregnancy; D014664:Vasodilation / Q000502:physiology
D005938:Glucocorticoids; D001623:Betamethasone