Effect of dexamethasone on daily fetal movement, umbilical and middle cerebral arteries Doppler and cardiotocogram
Background: Preterm birth is a leading cause of perinatal death and disability and is an important public health problem globally. There is more work to be done regarding steroids effect, especially with the variations among demography and pathological conditions affecting mothers. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of dexamethasone on healthy fetuses, observing the effects on MCA and UA Doppler velocity waveforms and cardiotocography, correlating them with fetal movement.Methods: This prospective cross-sectional study was conducted in Ain Shams University Maternity Hospital, starting from April 2020 till December 2020. One hundred and ten women was recruited for the study. All women undergo elective cesarean section before 39 weeks of gestation. UA and MCA Doppler values were taken; nonstress test was recorded and fetal movements were counted after a single course of dexamethasone.Results: Our results included decrease in MCA PI, decrease in foetal movement count on the second day of dexamethasone injection, increase of short-term variability and direct correlation between the MCA RI and UA PI with the fetal movements decrease on the 5th day of dexamethasone injection.Conclusions: There are definitely cardiovascular changes that occur after dexamethasone administration, presented by increase in MCA blood flow and increase in FHR short term variability.