No short-term benefits of antenatal corticosteroid treatment in severely preterm growth restricted fetuses: A case–control study

Neonatal Morbidity in Growth-Discordant Monochorionic Twins: Comparison Between the Larger and the Smaller Twin

“…Fetal growth restriction in singletons has been shown to enhance fetal lung maturation and reduce the risk of RDS due to increased endogenous steroid production caused by chronic intrauterine stress (Gluck and Kulovich, 1973;Torrance et al, 2009;van et al, 2009). In twin pregnancies, the risk of RDS is also reported to be associated with gender and birth order, male infants being more susceptible for RDS and second-born twins being more at risk for perinatal asphyxia and respiratory failure (Canpolat et al, 2006;Webb and Shaw, 2001).…”

Effect of maternal betamethasone on fetal and uteroplacental blood flow velocity waveforms

“…In a comparable study (IUGR fetuses with ARED flow in umbilical artery delivered before 30 weeks of gestation, antenatal corticosteroids given in 95%), 26 (65%) of 40 neonates had BPD21. In a recent retrospective cohort study, van Stralen et al 5 questioned whether it was beneficial to treat premature growth‐restricted fetuses with antenatal corticosteroids. Controversy exists regarding the benefits of corticosteroids in relation to respiratory outcomes.…”

“…Corticosteroids reduce the occurrence of respiratory distress syndrome (RDS) and other complications following preterm birth, such as intraventricular hemorrhage, necrotizing enterocolitis and neonatal death4. The benefits of betamethasone treatment have been questioned in severely growth‐restricted fetuses5. Serious side‐effects to the neonate have not been reported after treatment during the second half of pregnancy.…”

Effect of prenatal betamethasone on fetal, uteroplacental, and maternal blood flow velocity in pregnancies complicated by fetal growth restriction

“…The course of treatment depends on the severity of FGR, findings of Doppler ultrasonography, and other associated factors [3]. For more than 30 years, glucocorticoids have been used to increase the secretion of surfactant and to accelerate fetal lung maturity in premature neonates [4][5][6], but the benefits of betamethasone therapy among preterm neonates with growth restriction have been questioned [7].…”

“…Previous studies [3,7] have shown that growth restriction might occur after multiple courses of prenatal corticosteroids, providing conflicting data on the impact of steroids on uteroplacental blood flow. As a result, the aim of the present study was to assess the Doppler flow velocity in fetal, uteroplacental, and maternal arteries among singleton pregnancies complicated by FGR at three timepoints during a course of betamethasone therapy.…”