Effects of betamethasone on fetoplacental and maternal hemodynamics in preterm pregnancies.

Abstract

To evaluate the possible effects of prenatal steroid administration onDoppler parameters of the umbilical artery, uterine artery, middle cerebral artery, and ductus venosus, the cerebroplacental ratio, and the amniotic fluid index in pretermfetuses. The present prospective observational study was performed at the Perinatology Department of Trakya University, Edirne, Turkey, between June 1, 2015, and September 1, 2016. It included patients with healthy singleton pregnancies who had received betamethasone at 24-34weeks of pregnancy. Doppler parameters were measured before (0hours) and 24, 48, and 72hours after the administration of betamethasone (two intramuscular doses of 12mg each, administered 24hours apart). There were 68 patients included. Pairwise comparisons demonstrated that, at 72hours after betamethasone administration, the umbilical artery resistance index (P=0.038), the middle cerebral artery systolic/diastolic velocity ratio (P=0.007), and the amniotic fluid index (P=0.017) were reduced, whereas the end-diastolic velocity of the middle cerebral artery was increased (P=0.012), compared with baseline values. Betamethasone had favorable effects on fetal cerebral circulation, with increased end-diastolic velocity in the middle cerebral artery; this could represent a positive effect on cerebral blood circulation and decreased flow resistance in the umbilical artery.