title: Betamethasone effects on umbilical arteries and ductus venosus Doppler velocity waveforms in growth-restricted fetuses.
abstract: We studied intrauterine-growth-restricted (IUGR) fetuses with absent or reversed umbilical artery end-diastolic flow (EDF) velocity in order to evaluate the benefit of antenatal steroid therapy. Perinatal outcomes after betamethasone were evaluated where end diastolic flow returned (group I), compared with data from fetuses with persistent absent-reverse end diastolic(ARED) flow (group II).
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  We recruited sixty-four IUGR fetuses, 28-32 weeks' gestation, whose umbilical artery spectral tracings showed ARED flow and positive a-wave in the ductus venosus at admission.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Group I, 21 cases of restored EDF after betamethasone: Significant, persistent return of umbilical artery EDF flow and persistent ductus venosus a-wave were documented. Group II, 43 cases of persistent ARED flow: Persistent ARED flow in umbilical arteries and deterioration of ductus venosus waveform with significant, increasing pulsatility index and/or a-wave disappearance were documented. In group I, cardiotocographic alterations were delayed contrasted with group II, (p = 0.03). Neonatal complications in group II were eight cases of intraventricular hemorrhage; two cases of retinopathy of prematurity; three neonatal deaths, one fetal demise; and a higher incidence of neonatal respiratory distress syndrome.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Betamethasone treatment may have beneficial effects on restoring end-diastolic umbilical artery velocimetry and precordial waveforms. These spectral Doppler changes are related to delayed cardiotocographic alterations and to better perinatal outcomes.
authors.affiliation: Ospedale di Ceprano, V.le Regina Margherita, Ceprano, Italy. jjpiazze2000@hotmail.com
authors.forename: Juan
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Piazze
authors.forename: Kathleen Comalli
authors.initials: KC
authors.lastname: Dillon
authors.forename: Albana
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Cerekja
mesh_terms: D001623:Betamethasone / Q000494:pharmacology*; D005260:Female; D005317:Fetal Growth Retardation; D005333:Fetus / Q000098:blood supply; D005938:Glucocorticoids / Q000494:pharmacology*; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D017078:Laser-Doppler Flowmetry; D011247:Pregnancy; D012039:Regional Blood Flow / Q000187:drug effects*; D014469:Umbilical Arteries / Q000187:drug effects*
chemical_list: D005938:Glucocorticoids; D001623:Betamethasone