title: The influence of corticosteroids on fetal heart rate variability: a systematic review of the literature.
abstract: Corticosteroids play an important role in the clinical management of threatened preterm delivery between 24 and 34 weeks of gestational age. It is known that corticosteroids have a direct, transient effect on fetal heart rate (fHR) parameters. Fetal heart rate variability is a reflection of autonomic nervous system activity and a useful marker for fetal well-being. Therefore, it is important to interpret the changes that occur in fHR parameters during corticosteroid treatment correctly, to avoid unnecessary iatrogenic preterm delivery. We performed a systematic review of the literature in CENTRAL, PubMed, and EMBASE, including 15 articles. In this review, we discuss the influence of corticosteroids on fHR parameters, in particular fHR variability, and fetal behavior. Furthermore, we explain possible mechanisms of action and confounding factors.
authors.affiliation: Clinical Researcher, the Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, Máxima Medical Center, Veldhoven, the Netherlands.
authors.forename: Kim M J
authors.initials: KM
authors.lastname: Verdurmen
authors.affiliation: Clinical Researcher, the Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, Máxima Medical Center, Veldhoven, the Netherlands.
authors.forename: Joris
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Renckens
authors.affiliation: Resident, the Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, Máxima Medical Center, Veldhoven, the Netherlands.
authors.forename: Judith O E H
authors.initials: JO
authors.lastname: van Laar
authors.affiliation: Professor, the Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, Máxima Medical Center, Veldhoven, the Netherlands.
authors.forename: S Guid
authors.initials: SG
authors.lastname: Oei
mesh_terms: D005260:Female; D005865:Gestational Age; D005938:Glucocorticoids / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D006340:Heart Rate, Fetal / Q000187:drug effects*; D006801:Humans; D008431:Maternal-Fetal Exchange; D007752:Obstetric Labor, Premature; D011247:Pregnancy; D012307:Risk Factors; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D005938:Glucocorticoids