title: Antenatal glucocorticoids supplementation and central nervous system development.
abstract: Maternal antenatal therapy with glucocorticoids (GC) is routinely used to prevent lung immaturity. The potential harmful effects on other organs, including in particular the central nervous system (CNS), are still controversial. In the present review we aimed to investigate: i) the beneficial and detrimental effects of antenatal GC treatment in both human and animal models; ii) the potential usefulness of biochemical markers such as calcium binding proteins (S100B, synaptophysin) and cytoskeletal protein of neurons and dendrites (MAP2) in the perinatal period, and iii) whether the assessment of brain markers in different biological fluids could constitute a promising tool for the monitoring of CNS function and/or developmental in fetuses and newborns whose mothers assumed GC antenatally.
authors.affiliation: Department of Maternal, Fetal and Neonatal Health, C. Arrigo Children's Hospital, Spalto Marengo 46, I- 15100 Alessandria, Italy. dgazzolo@hotmail.com
authors.forename: Diego
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Gazzolo
authors.forename: Laura D
authors.initials: LD
authors.lastname: Serpero
authors.forename: Alessandro
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Frigiola
authors.forename: Raul
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Abella
authors.forename: Alessan
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Dro Giamberti
authors.forename: Giovanni
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Li Volti
authors.forename: Fabrizio
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Michetti
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002490:Central Nervous System / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000196:embryology; D005260:Female; D005938:Glucocorticoids / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008431:Maternal-Fetal Exchange; D011247:Pregnancy; D011965:Receptors, Glucocorticoid / Q000378:metabolism; D012127:Respiratory Distress Syndrome, Newborn / Q000517:prevention & control
chemical_list: D005938:Glucocorticoids; D011965:Receptors, Glucocorticoid