title: Effect of prenatal betamethasone on fetal, uteroplacental, and maternal blood flow velocity in pregnancies complicated by fetal growth restriction.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To assess Doppler flow velocity in fetal, uteroplacental, and maternal arteries before and after betamethasone therapy among singleton pregnancies complicated by fetal growth restriction (FGR).
  
  
  METHODS
  A prospective, longitudinal, multicenter study was conducted at three university-affiliated hospitals in Tehran, Iran, between January 1 and November 30, 2013. The inclusion criteria were FGR, a gestational age of 24-34 weeks, no fetal anomalies, and no previous betamethasone therapy. Doppler blood flow was measured in uterine, umbilical, and middle cerebral arteries before treatment, and 24 hours and 5 days after completion of betamethasone therapy (two 12-mg doses at a 24-hour interval).
  
  
  RESULTS
  Overall, 40 women were enrolled. Doppler blood flow through the uterine and umbilical arteries showed significant but transient changes across the three timepoints (P<0.001), whereas the middle cerebral artery showed no changes.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Prenatal betamethasone led to transient improvements in blood flow in the uterine and umbilical arteries among pregnancies affected by FGR.
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Women's Hospital, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
authors.forename: Shirin
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Niroomanesh
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Women's Hospital, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran. Electronic address: kobrashojae@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Kobra
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Shojaei
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Women's Hospital, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
authors.forename: Sahar F
authors.initials: SF
authors.lastname: Moghadam
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Women's Hospital, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
authors.forename: Noshin
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Mohammadi
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Women's Hospital, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
authors.forename: Zahra
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Rahimi
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Women's Hospital, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
authors.forename: Khadija
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: RezaeiKeyhanaei
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001623:Betamethasone / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001783:Blood Flow Velocity / Q000187:drug effects*; D005260:Female; D005317:Fetal Growth Retardation / Q000188:drug therapy*; D005333:Fetus / Q000098:blood supply; D005938:Glucocorticoids / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D007492:Iran; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D020768:Middle Cerebral Artery / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D021041:Placental Circulation / Q000187:drug effects; D011247:Pregnancy; D011446:Prospective Studies; D018608:Ultrasonography, Doppler / Q000379:methods; D016216:Ultrasonography, Prenatal / Q000379:methods; D014469:Umbilical Arteries / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D005938:Glucocorticoids; D001623:Betamethasone
keywords: Betamethasone; Corticosteroid; Doppler; Fetal growth restriction; Ultrasonography