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P98Effects of maternal betamethasone administration on fetal Doppler flow velocity waveforms
Author(s) -
Kaehler C.,
Schleußner E.,
Möller A.,
Möller U.,
Seewald H. J.
Publication year - 2000
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 - 10.1046/j.1469-0705.2000.00004-1-97.x
Subject(s) - medicine , betamethasone , ductus venosus , umbilical artery , cardiology , ductus arteriosus , fetus , inferior vena cava , anesthesia , blood flow , pregnancy , biology , genetics
Background To investigate the effect of maternal betamethasone administration on fetal arterial, venous and cardiac Doppler flow velocity waveforms. Method Patients : 13 women with singleton pregnancies considered at risk of preterm labour received an intravenous dosis of 2 × 8 mg betamethasone. Study design : Prospective study. Main outcome measures : Doppler studies were performed from the umbilical artery, middle cerebral artery, both uterine arteries, from the ductus venosus, inferior vena cava, right hepatic vein, form the av‐valves, right and left ventricular outflow tract and the ductus arteriosus before and after (30 min, 24, 48 and 72 h) betamethasone administration. Peak systolic velocities and maximum end‐diastolic velocities were recorded. Calculation of the resistance index (RI) for the arterial system, the peak velocity index for veins (PVIV) for the venous system and the E/A ratio for the av‐valves. Results No significant variation was noted in the Doppler measurements before and after betamethasone administration. A slight and reversible increase of the peak systolic velocity of the ductus arteriosus and the right ventricular outflow tract was observed at 30 min after betamethasone administration. Conclusion Betamethasone administration does not cause a significant change of the arterial, venous and intracardiac Doppler flow velocity waveforms in healthy fetuses.