title: Intra-amniotic corticosteroids for preterm lung maturation in sheep.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The purpose of this study was to compare efficacy on fetal lung maturation of intra-amniotic betamethasone or budesonide with the efficacy of maternal intramuscular betamethasone.
  
  
  METHODS
  Pregnant ewes received intra-amniotic betamethasone (0.5 mg/kg or 2 mg/kg fetal weight), intra-amniotic budesonide (0.5 mg/kg or 2 mg/kg), maternal intramuscular betamethasone (0.5 mg/kg maternal weight), intra-amniotic saline solution, or maternal saline solution. Lambs were delivered 2 or 7 days later, at 124 days of gestation for measurement of respiratory system compliance, ventilatory efficiency index, and surfactant levels.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Lung function increased 2 days after maternal betamethasone, intra-amniotic betamethasone (2 mg/kg), and intra-amniotic budesonide (2 mg/kg) administration and 7 days after maternal betamethasone or intra-amniotic budesonide (2.0 mg/kg) administration. Lung function was not improved 7 days after intra-amniotic betamethasone (2.0 mg/kg) administration or 2 days after intra-amniotic betamethasone (0.5 mg/kg) or intra-amniotic budesonide (0.5 mg/kg) administration. Intra-amniotic corticosteroid administration increased fetal death and respiratory morbidity.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Intra-amniotic corticosteroid administration improved preterm lung function, but the associated morbidity and mortality rates suggest that they are not suitable for clinical use.
authors.affiliation: Lotteries Commission Perinatal Research Laboratories, School of Women's and Infants' Health, University of Western Australia, Box M094, 35 Stirling Highway, Crawley, Perth, WA 6009, Australia. tmoss@cyllene.uwa.edu.au
authors.forename: Timothy J m
authors.initials: TJ
authors.lastname: Moss
authors.forename: Neil P
authors.initials: NP
authors.lastname: Mulrooney
authors.forename: Ilias
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Nitsos
authors.forename: Machiko
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Ikegami
authors.forename: Alan H
authors.initials: AH
authors.lastname: Jobe
authors.forename: John P
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: Newnham
mesh_terms: D000650:Amnion; D000818:Animals; D000831:Animals, Newborn / Q000502:physiology; D001623:Betamethasone / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D019819:Budesonide / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D005260:Female; D005313:Fetal Death; D005325:Fetal Organ Maturity; D005333:Fetus; D005938:Glucocorticoids / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D015994:Incidence; D007273:Injections, Intramuscular; D008168:Lung / Q000187:drug effects / Q000196:embryology* / Q000502:physiology; D055370:Lung Injury; D009035:Mothers; D011247:Pregnancy; D011656:Pulmonary Emphysema / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000453:epidemiology; D011663:Pulmonary Surfactants / Q000378:metabolism; D012140:Respiratory Tract Diseases / Q000139:chemically induced; D012421:Rupture / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000453:epidemiology; D012756:Sheep; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D005938:Glucocorticoids; D011663:Pulmonary Surfactants; D019819:Budesonide; D001623:Betamethasone