BACKGROUND: Constriction of the fetal ductus arteriosus occurs with maternal indomethacin treatment and has been suggested with corticosteroid therapy as well. CASE: Fetal ductal constriction was diagnosed by Doppler echocardiography at 29 weeks' gestation after a third and fourth course of betamethasone was administered to a pregnant woman with placenta previa. Doppler echocardiography showed a patent ductus arteriosus 3 days after the treatment. CONCLUSION: The risk-benefit ratio of betamethasone should be assessed by large-scale studies when repeated courses or chronic maternal administration of betamethasone are required.
BACKGROUND: Constriction of the fetal ductus arteriosus occurs with maternal indomethacin treatment and has been suggested with corticosteroid therapy as well. CASE: Fetal ductal constriction was diagnosed by Doppler echocardiography at 29 weeks' gestation after a third and fourth course of betamethasone was administered to a pregnant woman with placenta previa. Doppler echocardiography showed a patent ductus arteriosus 3 days after the treatment. CONCLUSION: The risk-benefit ratio of betamethasone should be assessed by large-scale studies when repeated courses or chronic maternal administration of betamethasone are required.
Authors: Giovanna Battistoni; Ramona Montironi; Jacopo Di Giuseppe; Luca Giannella; Giovanni Delli Carpini; Alessandra Baldinelli; Marco Pozzi; Andrea Ciavattini Journal: Ann Med Date: 2021-12 Impact factor: 4.709