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Updated: Jun 27, 2026

Instrumentation of Near-term Fetal Sheep for Multivariate Chronic Non-anesthetized Recordings
Published on: October 25, 2015
Antenatal corticosteroid therapy: short-term effects on fetal behaviour and haemodynamics
E J H Mulder1, R de Heus, G H A Visser
1Department of Obstetrics, Wilhelmina Children's Hospital, University Medical Centre, Utrecht, The Netherlands. emulder@umcutrecht.nl
Abstract:
Antenatal corticosteroid therapy to enhance fetal lung maturity in threatened preterm delivery has a number of non-pulmonary side-effects, both beneficial and undesirable. This review focuses on the short-term (transient) effects of betamethasone and dexamethasone on aspects of fetal circulation and behaviour which are used clinically as markers of fetal well-being. We summarise the effects observed, discuss the proposed underlying mechanisms, and emphasise the consequences for clinical decision-making. Recommendations are given to optimise medical care and to minimise the risk of unwarranted iatrogenic preterm delivery.
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