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Effect of antenatal glucocorticoid therapy on arterial and venous blood flow velocity waveforms in severely growth‐restricted fetuses
Author(s) -
Wijnberger L. D. E.,
Bilardo C. M.,
Hecher K.,
Stigter R. H.,
Visser G. H. A.
Publication year - 2004
Publication title -
ultrasound in obstetrics and gynecology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 3.202
H-Index - 141
eISSN - 1469-0705
pISSN - 0960-7692
DOI - 10.1002/uog.1052
Subject(s) - betamethasone , medicine , ductus venosus , umbilical artery , fetus , glucocorticoid , middle cerebral artery , blood flow , gestation , pregnancy , cardiology , obstetrics , endocrinology , ischemia , biology , genetics
Objective To study the effects of antenatal glucocorticoid (betamethasone) therapy on blood flow velocity waveform patterns in the umbilical artery (UA), middle cerebral artery (MCA) and ductus venosus (DV) in severely intrauterine growth‐restricted (IUGR) fetuses. Methods Fifty‐five severely IUGR fetuses at 24–34 weeks of gestation were included in the study. The effect of antenatal glucocorticoid administration on Doppler findings in the UA, MCA and DV was studied using two statistical approaches, namely paired sample analysis and multilevel analysis. Results There were no effects of betamethasone on the pulsatility index (PI) of the vessels studied. The only changes noticed during the 14 days of observation were a gradual decrease of PI in the MCA, an increase in the UA‐PI/MCA‐PI ratio and an increase in the DV‐PI. These changes with time may be explained by a progressive and gradual deterioration of the fetal condition. Conclusion Antenatal glucocorticoids (betamethasone) do not affect fetal Doppler waveform patterns of the UA, MCA and DV in severely IUGR fetuses. Copyright © 2004 ISUOG. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.