title: Antenatal corticosteroid therapy: short-term effects on fetal behaviour and haemodynamics.
abstract: Antenatal corticosteroid therapy to enhance fetal lung maturity in threatened preterm delivery has a number of non-pulmonary side-effects, both beneficial and undesirable. This review focuses on the short-term (transient) effects of betamethasone and dexamethasone on aspects of fetal circulation and behaviour which are used clinically as markers of fetal well-being. We summarise the effects observed, discuss the proposed underlying mechanisms, and emphasise the consequences for clinical decision-making. Recommendations are given to optimise medical care and to minimise the risk of unwarranted iatrogenic preterm delivery.
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics, Wilhelmina Children's Hospital, University Medical Centre, Utrecht, The Netherlands. emulder@umcutrecht.nl
authors.forename: E J H
authors.initials: EJ
authors.lastname: Mulder
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: de Heus
authors.forename: G H A
authors.initials: GH
authors.lastname: Visser
mesh_terms: D001623:Betamethasone / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003907:Dexamethasone / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005260:Female; D005324:Fetal Movement / Q000187:drug effects; D005333:Fetus / Q000098:blood supply / Q000187:drug effects*; D005938:Glucocorticoids / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006339:Heart Rate / Q000187:drug effects; D006801:Humans; D007030:Hypothalamo-Hypophyseal System / Q000187:drug effects; D010913:Pituitary-Adrenal System / Q000187:drug effects; D021041:Placental Circulation / Q000187:drug effects; D011247:Pregnancy; D047928:Premature Birth; D011295:Prenatal Care; D016216:Ultrasonography, Prenatal
chemical_list: D005938:Glucocorticoids; D003907:Dexamethasone; D001623:Betamethasone