Glucocorticoids, antenatal corticosteroid therapy and fetal heart maturation

Glucocorticoids are essential in mammals to mature fetal organs and tissues in order to survive after birth. Hence, antenatal glucocorticoid treatment (termed antenatal corticosteroid therapy) can be life-saving in preterm babies and is commonly used in women at risk of preterm birth. While the effects of glucocorticoids on lung maturation have been well described, the effects on the fetal heart remain less clear. Experiments in mice have shown that endogenous glucocorticoid action is required to mature the fetal heart. However, whether the potent synthetic glucocorticoids used in antenatal corticosteroid therapy have similar maturational effects on the fetal heart is less clear. Moreover, antenatal corticosteroid therapy may increase the risk of cardiovascular disease in adulthood. Here, we present a narrative review of the evidence relating to the effects of antenatal glucocorticoid action on the fetal heart and discuss the implications for antenatal corticosteroid therapy.

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Faculty Opinions recommendation of Antenatal corticosteroid therapy (ACT) and size at birth: A population-based analysis using the Finnish Medical Birth Register.

Faculty Opinions – Post-Publication Peer Review of the Biomedical Literature ◽

10.3410/f.735165401.793572666 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Katie-Jane Wynne

Keyword(s):

Corticosteroid Therapy ◽

Population Based ◽

Antenatal Corticosteroid ◽

Medical Birth Register ◽

Size At Birth

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Antenatal corticosteroid therapy and blood pressure at 14 years of age in preterm children

Clinical Science ◽

10.1042/cs0980137 ◽

2000 ◽

Vol 98 (2) ◽

pp. 137-142 ◽

Cited By ~ 106

Author(s):

L. W. DOYLE ◽

G. W. FORD ◽

N. M. DAVIS ◽

C. CALLANAN

Keyword(s):

Blood Pressure ◽

Corticosteroid Therapy ◽

Animal Species ◽

Antenatal Corticosteroid ◽

Antenatal Corticosteroids ◽

Preterm Children ◽

Clinical Hypertension ◽

Blood Pressures ◽

The Relationship ◽

Mercury Sphygmomanometer

Antenatal corticosteroid therapy substantially improves the survival rate of preterm infants, with few side effects. Higher blood pressure in adulthood has been described in several animal species after exposure to antenatal corticosteroids, but there are no similar reports in humans. The objective of the present study was to determine the relationship between exposure to antenatal corticosteroid therapy and blood pressure at 14 years of age. This was a cohort study of 210 preterm survivors with birthweights of < 1501 g born in the Royal Women's Hospital, Melbourne, between 1 January 1977 and 31 March 1982. Blood pressure was measured in 177 subjects (84.3%) at 14 years of age with a standard mercury sphygmomanometer. Children exposed to antenatal corticosteroids (n = 89) had higher systolic and diastolic blood pressures than those not exposed to corticosteroids (n = 88) [mean difference (95% confidence interval) (mmHg): systolic, 4.1 (0.1–8.0); diastolic, 2.8 (0.05–5.6)]. However, few had blood pressure in the hypertensive range. It is concluded that antenatal corticosteroid therapy is associated with higher systolic and diastolic blood pressures in adolescence, and might lead to clinical hypertension in survivors well beyond birth.

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Weekly maternal antenatal corticosteroid therapy does not result in neurodevelopmental or growth impairment in the child, but should be used with caution

The Journal of Pediatrics ◽

10.1016/j.jpeds.2007.12.005 ◽

2008 ◽

Vol 152 (3) ◽

pp. 442-443

Author(s):

Alan D. Stiles

Keyword(s):

Corticosteroid Therapy ◽

Antenatal Corticosteroid ◽

Growth Impairment

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Application of Steroid in Clinical Practice

Asian Journal of Research in Chemistry ◽

10.52711/0974-4150.2021.00078 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 448-450

Author(s):

Tushar N. Sonwane ◽

Pradip D. Dhangar ◽

Dhananjay D. Chaudhari ◽

Rajesh D. Ahire ◽

Ritik S. Jain

Keyword(s):

Clinical Practice ◽

Chronic Diseases ◽

Corticosteroid Therapy ◽

Physiological Effects ◽

Oral Diseases ◽

Life Saving ◽

Specific Organ ◽

Anti Inflammatory ◽

Oral Condition ◽

Important Indication

Corticosteroids represent important therapies for numerous acute conditions and chronic diseases based on their broad anti-inflammatory and immunosuppressant effects. They have been used extensively in managing many oral diseases, due to their excellent anti-inflammatory and immune-modulator effect. This article is present at reviewing the uses of corticosteroids in the treatment various oral condition. To study more about corticosteroids and other related concepts. It was focus on Physiological effects, Effect of anesthesia and surgery and important indication of steroid in anaesthetic practice. There are strategies that can be used to minimize these risks, but some risks are often unavoidable. Topical use of corticosteroids, including inhalation, can be used to target specific organ for treatment. Corticosteroid therapy can be life-saving in serious and serve medical conditions.

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