Intramuscular fetal corticosteroid therapy short-term effect on maternal-fetal Doppler velocimetry.
OBJECTIVE
The aim of the study was to assess the short-term effects of intramuscular (IM) corticosteroid therapy (CST) on fetoplacental and fetal circulation in high-risk pregnancies of preterm labor.


METHODS
We evaluated the effect of IM fetal single-dose dexamethasone (4 mg/kg) on fetoplacental and fetal circulation two hours before and 0-4 hours after CST in 38 fetuses after the 32nd week of gestation.


RESULTS
Changes in the umbilical artery (UA) resistance index (RI) after fetal CST (AU RI1) were significantly correlated with gestational age after the 32nd week at recording r = 0.354; p < 0.05. There was a statistically significant difference of RI in the descending aorta (DAo) before and after therapy; p < 0.001 (-0.04-0.01), 95% confidence interval (CI) for differences.


CONCLUSIONS
Short-time effects after fetal IM CST include an increased index resistance in DAO as well as decreased RI in UA after the 32nd week.
Babović
I
I
Institute for Gynecology and Obstetrics, Clinical Center of Serbia, Belgrade, Serbia. ivana.r.babovic@gmail.com
Plesinac
S
S
Opalić
J
J
Pilić
I
I
Radojicić
Z
Z
Pervulov
M
M
Radunović
N
N
Ljubić
A
A
D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D000328:Adult; D001013:Aorta, Thoracic / Q000187:drug effects*; D001783:Blood Flow Velocity / Q000187:drug effects; D003907:Dexamethasone / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D005260:Female; D046128:Fetal Therapies; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007273:Injections, Intramuscular; D017078:Laser-Doppler Flowmetry; D008297:Male; D020768:Middle Cerebral Artery / Q000187:drug effects*; D011247:Pregnancy; D047928:Premature Birth; D011446:Prospective Studies; D014469:Umbilical Arteries / Q000187:drug effects*
D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones; D003907:Dexamethasone