Intramuscular fetal corticosteroid therapy: short-term effects on the fetus.
OBJECTIVE
The aim of the study was to assess the short-term effects of direct intramuscular (i.m.) corticosteroid therapy on fetal biophysical profile, baseline fetal heart rate and the nonstress test, which indicate the degree of fetal hypoxia.


METHODS
We evaluated the effect of direct i.m. fetal single-dose dexamethasone (4 mg/kg) on the fetal biophysical profile 2 h before and 2-4 h after corticosteroid therapy in 41 fetuses in the 32nd week of gestation at risk of preterm delivery. Risk factors for preterm delivery included pregnancy-induced hypertension and preeclampsia.


RESULTS
There was a statistically significant difference between fetal breathing movements before and after corticosteroid therapy (p = 0.019; 95% confidence interval for difference -11.75, -1.12). No significant changes were observed between baseline fetal heart rate before and after corticosteroid therapy (p = 0.99; 95% confidence interval for difference -4.81, +4.81), biophysical profile before and after fetal corticosteroid therapy, p = 0.235 as well as the nonstress test before and after therapy (p = 0.564).


CONCLUSIONS
Direct corticosteroid i.m. fetal therapy results in increasing profound short-term fetal breathing movements. There are no changes in baseline fetal heart rate, biophysical profile score, and nonstress test.
Babovic
I
I
Institute of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Clinical Center of Serbia, Belgrade, Serbia. plesinac@hotmail.com
Plesinac
S
S
Opalic
J
J
Devrnja
V
V
Pavlovic
I
I
Radojicic
Z
Z
Plecas
D
D
Radunovic
N
N
Ljubic
A
A
D000328:Adult; D003907:Dexamethasone / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects*; D005260:Female; D005311:Fetal Hypoxia / Q000139:chemically induced*; D005333:Fetus / Q000187:drug effects*; D005938:Glucocorticoids / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects*; D006340:Heart Rate, Fetal / Q000187:drug effects*; D006801:Humans; D007273:Injections, Intramuscular; D011247:Pregnancy; D012119:Respiration / Q000187:drug effects
D005938:Glucocorticoids; D003907:Dexamethasone