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Hantoushzadeh, S., Amiri, A., Shabani, A., Enayati, Y. S., Mostafaeipour, N., Mousavi Vahed, S. H., Nezamnia, M., & Sheykhian, T. (2024). Short-term effects of antenatal betamethasone on fetal cardiovascular and circulation status: A quasi-experimental observational (before-after) study. International Journal of Reproductive BioMedicine (IJRM), 22(5), 375–382. https://doi.org/10.18502/ijrm.v22i5.16436

https://doi.org/10.18502/ijrm.v22i5.16436

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authors

  • Sedigheh Hantoushzadeh

    Sedigheh Hantoushzadeh

    Vali-E-Asr Reproductive Health Research Center, Family Health Research Institute, Imam Khomeini Hospital Complex, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
  • Amir Amiri

    Amir Amiri

    Maternal, Fetal, and Neonatal Research Center, Family Health Research Institute, Imam Khomeini Hospital Complex, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
  • Azadeh Shabani

    Azadeh Shabani

    Preventative Gynecology Research Center (PGRC), Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
  • Yasamin Soufi Enayati

    Yasamin Soufi Enayati

    Psychology Department, University of Science and Culture, Tehran, Iran.
  • Neda Mostafaeipour

    Neda Mostafaeipour

    Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
  • Seyede Houra Mousavi Vahed

    Seyede Houra Mousavi Vahed

    Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran.
  • Maria Nezamnia

    Maria Nezamnia

    Department of Gynecology, School of Medicine, Pasteur Hospital, Bam University of Medical Sciences, Bam, Iran.
  • Toktam Sheykhian

    Toktam Sheykhian

    Maternal, Fetal, and Neonatal Research Center, Family Health Research Institute, Imam Khomeini Hospital Complex, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.

Published Date

  • Jul 2, 2024

Short-term effects of antenatal betamethasone on fetal cardiovascular and circulation status: A quasi-experimental observational (before-after) study

International Journal of Reproductive BioMedicine (IJRM) / International Journal of Reproductive BioMedicine (IJRM): Volume 22, Issue No. 5 / Pages 375–382

Abstract

Background: The administration of antenatal corticosteroid is a standard treatment to reduce the rate of perinatal mortality and morbidity; however, there is limited evidence regarding the potential effects of betamethasone on the constriction of the ductus arteriosus (DA).


Objective: This study aimed to investigate the short-term effects of antenatal betamethasone on fetal cardiovascular and circulation status.


Materials and Methods: This quasi-experimental observational (before-after) study was conducted on 32 singleton fetuses. The participants were healthy pregnant women with a diagnosis of placenta accreta spectrum who were eligible for 2 doses of betamethasone and referred to prenatal care clinic, Vali-E-Asr hospital; Tehran, Iran from January 2021-May 2022. The results of fetal echocardiography and Doppler sonography were compared before and after the administration of antenatal corticosteroid therapy.


Results: Following betamethasone injection, significant increases were observed in peak systolic and diastolic velocity of the DA without constriction of the DA (p < 0.001, p = 0.002 respectively). However, no significant changes were observed in right ventricular function, tricuspid valve function, Doppler of ductus venous, and peak systolic velocity of the aortic isthmus (p > 0.05). Doppler examination of the uterine, umbilical, and middle cerebral arteries also showed no significant changes (p > 0.05).


Conclusion: Considering the benefits of antenatal corticosteroid therapy, its administration seems reasonable in preterm births. The transient changes in ductal blood flow are not prohibitive.


Key words: Betamethasone, Premature birth, Ultrasonography, Doppler, Echocardiography, Fetus.

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