Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 26, 2025
05:40
Continuous Telemetric In Utero Tracheal Pressure Measurements in Fetal Lambs
Published on: December 22, 2023
352
The effect of steroid administration on fetal diaphragm function
Fatma Ozdemir1, Gokhan Acmaz2, Yusuf Madendag1
1Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Erciyes University Faculty of Medicine, Yenidogan District, Turhan Baytop Street No:1, 38280, Kayseri, Melikgazi Kayseri, Turkey.
BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth
|October 12, 2022
Summary
Antenatal steroid administration improved diaphragm function in preterm labor patients, enhancing mobility and thickening. This indicates a positive impact of steroids on the diaphragm muscle.
Area of Science:
- Neonatal Medicine
- Respiratory Physiology
- Obstetrics
Background:
- Antenatal steroid administration accelerates lung maturation and improves respiratory function in preterm infants.
- The effects of antenatal steroids on the diaphragm, a key respiratory muscle, require further investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the structural and functional changes in the diaphragm following antenatal steroid administration.
- To assess the impact of betamethasone on diaphragm thickness, excursion, and costophrenic angle.
Main Methods:
- An observational, cross-sectional study involving 79 volunteers divided into preterm delivery groups.
- Betamethasone (12 mg IM) administered to pregnancies between 28-34 weeks gestation, with a repeat dose after 24 hours.
- Diaphragm thickness, excursion, and costophrenic angle measured during inspiration and expiration before and 7 days after treatment.
Main Results:
- Significant improvements observed in diaphragm thickness, diaphragmatic excursion, and thickening fraction 7 days post-steroid administration.
- No significant difference was found in the costophrenic angle.
- Changes in diaphragm parameters reflect the positive effect of betamethasone on diaphragm muscle function.
Conclusions:
- Antenatal steroid administration enhances diaphragm mobility in patients with preterm labor.
- Steroid treatment demonstrates a positive influence on overall diaphragm function.
Related Concept Videos
01:07Teratogenicity
2.6K
The ability of a drug to produce structural deformations and functional abnormalities in the developing embryo or the fetus is called teratogenicity, and the drug producing this effect is known as a teratogen. Teratogenic effects include stillbirth, miscarriage, intrauterine growth restriction, and neurocognitive delay. A teratogen may affect the embryo at different stages of development, which is important in determining the type and extent of the damage. During blastocyst formation, the early...
2.6K
01:23Upper Respiratory Drugs: Antitussives, Expectorants, and Mucolytics
390
Respiratory symptoms, such as congestion and cough, commonly accompany respiratory tract conditions. Various medications, such as antitussives, expectorants, and mucolytics, play crucial roles in providing relief.
Antitussives include codeine, dextromethorphan (Robitussin), and benzonatate (Tessalon). Codeine and dextromethorphan exert their effects centrally by suppressing the cough reflex center in the medulla. Benzonatate operates peripherally within the respiratory tract by...
Antitussives include codeine, dextromethorphan (Robitussin), and benzonatate (Tessalon). Codeine and dextromethorphan exert their effects centrally by suppressing the cough reflex center in the medulla. Benzonatate operates peripherally within the respiratory tract by...
390
01:25Antiasthma Drugs: Inhaled Corticosteroids and Glucocorticoids
362
Inhaled corticosteroids (ICS) are anti-inflammatory drugs used primarily in treating persistent asthma and providing long-term maintenance. They target the bronchial mucosa, the lining of the airways, to control inflammation, a critical factor in asthma progression and exacerbation.
ICS work through a multifaceted mechanism of action. They suppress the inflammatory response caused by the proliferation of TH cells. They also reduce the transcription of the IL-2 gene, which is involved in the...
ICS work through a multifaceted mechanism of action. They suppress the inflammatory response caused by the proliferation of TH cells. They also reduce the transcription of the IL-2 gene, which is involved in the...
362
01:25Muscles of the Thorax
2.2K
The thorax muscles are central to the body's respiration and provide essential support and movement for the upper body. They are intricately designed to facilitate the complex breathing process while also contributing to the structural integrity and mobility of the chest and upper limbs.
The diaphragm is at the core of thoracic musculature, the primary muscle involved in breathing. This expansive, dome-shaped muscle marks the division between the thoracic and abdominal cavities. It...
The diaphragm is at the core of thoracic musculature, the primary muscle involved in breathing. This expansive, dome-shaped muscle marks the division between the thoracic and abdominal cavities. It...
2.2K
01:21Drugs for Treatment of Crohn's Disease in IBD Using Glucocorticoids
189
Glucocorticoids, a class of anti-inflammatory drugs, are pivotal in treating moderate to severe Crohn's disease by inducing remission. They exhibit their anti-inflammatory action by inhibiting the production of inflammatory cytokines such as tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, interleukin (IL)-1, and chemokines like IL-8. In addition, they reduce the expression of inflammatory cell adhesion molecules and inhibit gene transcription of nitric oxide synthase, phospholipase A2, cyclooxygenase-2...
189
01:21Skeletal Muscle Relaxants: Adverse Effects
437
Skeletal muscle relaxants are widely used for muscle paralysis and relieving pain following any muscle injury or stiffness. However, depending on the drug type, they can have adverse effects that range from mild to severe. Usually, nondepolarizing neuromuscular blockers have minimal side effects. For example, drugs like d-tubocurarine, cisatracurium, and rocuronium cause hypotension, whereas drugs like baclofen, when stopped abruptly, can lead to the recurrence of spastic conditions.
Unlike...
Unlike...
437