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Clinical Trial
. 2003 Feb;188(2):524-31.
doi: 10.1067/mob.2003.136.

Immediate and delayed effects of antenatal corticosteroids on fetal heart rate: a randomized trial that compares betamethasone acetate and phosphate, betamethasone phosphate, and dexamethasone

Damien Subtil  1 , Pauline Tiberghien, Patrick Devos, Denis Therby, Gilles Leclerc, Pascal Vaast, Francis Puech
Affiliations
Clinical Trial

Immediate and delayed effects of antenatal corticosteroids on fetal heart rate: a randomized trial that compares betamethasone acetate and phosphate, betamethasone phosphate, and dexamethasone

Damien Subtil et al. Am J Obstet Gynecol. 2003 Feb.

Abstract

Objective: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the role of different formulations and different administration kinetics of antenatal corticosteroid therapy on fetal heart rate.

Study design: One hundred five patients who were at high risk for preterm delivery were assigned randomly to receive two injections of betamethasone acetate + phosphate, four injections of betamethasone phosphate, or four injections of dexamethasone phosphate. Computerized fetal heart rate was recorded daily through day 4.

Results: The three formulations did not differ in their effect on fetal heart rate, which varied significantly as a function of the time of injection. During treatment (day 0-day 1), fetal heart rate variability increased (+9%, P <.05), as did the number of fetal movements felt by the mother (+60% at day 0, P <.001). After treatment (day 2-day 3), variability fell significantly (-14%, P <.01), as did accelerations (-35% at day 2, P <.01). No modifications were still detectable on day 4.

Conclusion: Antenatal corticotherapy is responsible for two different phases of fetal heart rate modifications that do not vary according to the corticosteroid or the dosage regimen.

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