Intramuscular fetal corticosteroid therapy short-term effect on maternal-fetal Doppler velocimetry

Abstract

Aim: The aim of the study was to assess the short-term effects of intramuscular (IM) corticosteroid therapy (CST) on fetoplacental and fetal circulation in high-risk pregnancies of preterm labor. Method: We evaluated the effect of IM fetal single-dose dexamethasone (4 mg/kg) on fetoplacental and fetal circulation two hours before and 0-4 hours after CST in 38 fetuses after the 321 week of gestation. Result: Changes in the umbilical artery (UA) resistance index (RI) after fetal CST (AU RII) were significantly correlated with gestational age after the 32(nd) week at recording r = 0.354; p LT 0.05. There was a statistically significant difference of RI in the descending aorta (DAo) before and after therapy; p LT 0.001 (-0.04-0.01), 95% confidence interval (CI) for differences. Conclusion: Short-time effects after fetal IM CST include an increased index resistance in DAO as well as decreased RI in UA after the 32(nd) week.