title: Effects of antenatal glucocorticoids on the developing brain.
abstract: Glucocorticoids (GCs) regulate distinct physiological processes in the developing fetus, in particular accelerating organ maturation that enables the fetus to survive outside the womb. In preterm birth, the developing fetus does not receive sufficient exposure to endogenous GCs in utero for proper organ development predisposing the neonate to complications including intraventricular hemorrhage, respiratory distress syndrome (RDS) and necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC). Synthetic GCs (sGCs) have proven useful in the prevention of these complications since they are able to promote the rapid maturation of underdeveloped organs present in the fetus. While these drugs have proven to be clinically effective in the prevention of IVH, RDS and NEC, they may also trigger adverse developmental side effects. This review will examine the current clinical use of antenatal sGC therapy in preterm birth, their placental metabolism, and their effects on the developing brain.
authors.affiliation: University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, United States.
authors.forename: Ross
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Carson
authors.affiliation: University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, United States; Department of Neurobiology, United States.
authors.forename: A Paula
authors.initials: AP
authors.lastname: Monaghan-Nichols
authors.affiliation: University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, United States; Department of Pharmacology and Chemical Biology, United States.
authors.forename: Donald B
authors.initials: DB
authors.lastname: DeFranco
authors.affiliation: University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, United States; Department of Pediatrics, Division of Newborn Medicine, United States. Electronic address: rudineac@upmc.edu.
authors.forename: Anthony C
authors.initials: AC
authors.lastname: Rudine
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001921:Brain / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000254:growth & development*; D005260:Female; D005938:Glucocorticoids / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D011247:Pregnancy; D047928:Premature Birth / Q000188:drug therapy; D011295:Prenatal Care
chemical_list: D005938:Glucocorticoids
keywords: Antenatal; Glucocorticoids; Neurodevelopment; Preterm birth