Introduction: The influence of glucocorticosteroid therapy on foetal lung maturation is evident but little is known about its effects on parameters of foetal venous circulation.
Objective: The aim of the study was to assess the influence of direct intramuscular (i.m.) foetal corticosteroid therapy (CST) on parameters of foetal venous circulation which indicates a degree of foetal hypoxia.
Method: The prospective study was conducted at the Institute of Gynaecology and Obstetrics during 2001. We evaluated the influence of direct i.m. foetal single dose dexamethasone (2 mg/ kg estimated foetal weight by sonographic examination) on foetal ductus venosus (DV) and vena cava inferior (VCI) velocities in 49 foetuses 24 hours before and after therapy.
Results: There is positive correlation with the statistical significance in systolic/diastolic ratio (S/D) in DV before and after the corticotherapy r = 0.366; p = 0.018. Reverse flow during contraction of the right atrium in DV was found in 55.6% of foetuses after CST. Reverse flow during the contraction of the right atrium in VCI was found in 3 foetuses before CST and in 4 foetuses after CST. We found positive correlation without statistical significance between the vena cava pre-load indices before and after CST (r = 0.127; p = 0.428). There is positive correlation with the statistical significance between systolic flow in VCI before and after CST (r = 0.478; p = 0.002).
Conclusion: Corticosteroid therapy influences parameters of foetal venous circulation. Its influence depends on duration of foetal hypoxia. The parameters of foetal venous circulation can be a predictor of the perinatal outcome.