Abstract
Objective
This longitudinal study was designed to explore whether administration of betamethasone to preterm intrauterine growth restricted (IUGR) fetuses affects middle cerebral artery (MCA) blood flow velocimetry.
Methods
Sixteen women (n = 16) with singleton preterm IUGR fetuses (below 10th percentile) were included. All patients were treated with a single course of betamethasone (12 mg qd I.M.) and were followed prospectively. Fetal MCA PI was recorded before, during first 4 days and 5–7 days after treatment. PI values were expressed according to the percentile of gestational age. A neonatal neurosonogram was performed during the first 72 hours of life. Descriptive statistics (mean and SD) and calculation (value after treatment minus the baseline) was used. Paired t-test on the equality of this to zero was than performed.
Results
1. The mean gestational age at admission and at delivery was 30.8 ± 2.4 weeks, and 32.9 ± 2.6 weeks, respectively. 2. The mean neonatal birth weight was 1492.8 ± 464.1 gr. 3. Value of MCA PI 4 days after treatment was − 4.5 (95% CI − 18.4; 9.2)(p = 0.4). 4. In contrast, value of MCA PI after 5–7 days was significantly different: 95% (−31.6 = CI − 39.8; − 23.4p < 0.001;) 5. No pathological findings were demonstrated on neonatal neurosonogram.
Conclusion
Betamethasone administration to preterm IUGR fetuses is associated with short term hemodynamic changes on the middle cerebral artery.
This longitudinal study was designed to explore whether administration of betamethasone to preterm intrauterine growth restricted (IUGR) fetuses affects middle cerebral artery (MCA) blood flow velocimetry.
Methods
Sixteen women (n = 16) with singleton preterm IUGR fetuses (below 10th percentile) were included. All patients were treated with a single course of betamethasone (12 mg qd I.M.) and were followed prospectively. Fetal MCA PI was recorded before, during first 4 days and 5–7 days after treatment. PI values were expressed according to the percentile of gestational age. A neonatal neurosonogram was performed during the first 72 hours of life. Descriptive statistics (mean and SD) and calculation (value after treatment minus the baseline) was used. Paired t-test on the equality of this to zero was than performed.
Results
1. The mean gestational age at admission and at delivery was 30.8 ± 2.4 weeks, and 32.9 ± 2.6 weeks, respectively. 2. The mean neonatal birth weight was 1492.8 ± 464.1 gr. 3. Value of MCA PI 4 days after treatment was − 4.5 (95% CI − 18.4; 9.2)(p = 0.4). 4. In contrast, value of MCA PI after 5–7 days was significantly different: 95% (−31.6 = CI − 39.8; − 23.4p < 0.001;) 5. No pathological findings were demonstrated on neonatal neurosonogram.
Conclusion
Betamethasone administration to preterm IUGR fetuses is associated with short term hemodynamic changes on the middle cerebral artery.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 348 |
| Number of pages | 1 |
| Journal | Ultrasound in Obstetrics & Gynecology |
| Volume | 26 |
| Issue number | 4 |
| DOIs | |
| State | Published - 8 Sep 2005 |