Antenatal Corticosteroids in Early and Late Fetal Growth Restriction
Abstract
1. Introduction
2. Methods
3. Findings
3.1. Antenatal Corticosteroids in Animal Models of Fetal Growth Restriction
3.2. Hemodynamic and Brain Effects of Antenatal Corticosteroid Administration in Growth-Restricted Fetuses
3.3. Antenatal Corticosteroid Administration in Early-FGR Fetuses
3.4. Effect of Antenatal Corticosteroid Administration on Parameters of Fetal Wellbeing
3.5. Timing of Antenatal Corticosteroid Administration in Early-FGR Fetuses
3.6. Antenatal Corticosteroid Administration in Late-FGR Fetuses
4. Limitations
5. Conclusions
Author Contributions
Funding
Institutional Review Board Statement
Informed Consent Statement
Data Availability Statement
Conflicts of Interest
Abbreviations
ACS | Antenatal corticosteroid |
AGA | Adequate for gestational age |
CI | Confidence interval |
EDF | End-diastolic flow |
FGR | Fetal growth restriction |
PI | Pulsatility index |
RDS | Respiratory distress syndrome |
References
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Study | Study Design | Gestational Age (Weeks) | Outcomes |
---|---|---|---|
Elimian, 1999 [39] | Retrospective, single-center | Not available (birth weight <1750 gr) | No difference in the incidence of RDS, intraventricular hemorrhage, or necrotizing enterocolitis |
Bernstein, 2000 [40] | Retrospective, multi-center | 25–30 | Beneficial on respiratory distress, intraventricular hemorrhage, neonatal death |
Basset, 2018 [41] | Prospective, based-population, multi-center | 24–33 | Beneficial neurodevelopment effects based on head circumference parameter |
Mitsiakos, 2013 [42] | Retrospective, single-center | 24–32 | No neurodevelopmental effects |
Ishikawa, 2015 [43] | Retrospective | 22–33 | No neurodevelopmental effects |
Schaap, 2001 [44] | Case–control | 26–31 | No neurodevelopmental effects |
Piazze, 2012 [45] | Prospective, single-center | 28–32 | Restored EDF in umbilical artery, improved ductus venosus waveforms, delayed cardiotocographic alterations, better perinatal outcomes |
Wijnberger, 2004 [46] | Prospective longitudinal, multi-center | 24–34 | No effects on fetal Doppler waveform patterns of the umbilical artery, middle cerebral artery, and ductus venosus |
Niroomanesh, 2015 [47] | Prospective, longitudinal, multi-center | 24–34 | Doppler transient improvements in umbilical artery and uterine arteries, no changes in middle cerebral artery flow |
Vadivelu, 2021 [48] | Prospective, single-center | 28–36 | Improved fetal heart indices, especially left-sided isovolumic indices |
Marchi, 2020 [49] | Prospective, single-center | 24–34 | Worsening cardiac function |
Study | Study Design | Gestational Age (Weeks) | Outcomes |
---|---|---|---|
Bitar, 2020 [64] | Retrospective, single-center, cohort study | 34–36 | No benefit from ACSs; increased neonatal hypoglycemia |
Familiari, 2023 [26] | Prospective, multi-center observational study | 32–36 | No benefit from ACSs |
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Tosto, V.; Scala, C.; Fratelli, N.; Fichera, A.; Familiari, A.; Londero, A.P.; Ramenghi, L.A.; Prefumo, F. Antenatal Corticosteroids in Early and Late Fetal Growth Restriction. J. Clin. Med. 2025, 14, 4876. https://doi.org/10.3390/jcm14144876
Tosto V, Scala C, Fratelli N, Fichera A, Familiari A, Londero AP, Ramenghi LA, Prefumo F. Antenatal Corticosteroids in Early and Late Fetal Growth Restriction. Journal of Clinical Medicine. 2025; 14(14):4876. https://doi.org/10.3390/jcm14144876
Chicago/Turabian StyleTosto, Valentina, Carolina Scala, Nicola Fratelli, Anna Fichera, Alessandra Familiari, Ambrogio Pietro Londero, Luca Antonio Ramenghi, and Federico Prefumo. 2025. "Antenatal Corticosteroids in Early and Late Fetal Growth Restriction" Journal of Clinical Medicine 14, no. 14: 4876. https://doi.org/10.3390/jcm14144876
APA StyleTosto, V., Scala, C., Fratelli, N., Fichera, A., Familiari, A., Londero, A. P., Ramenghi, L. A., & Prefumo, F. (2025). Antenatal Corticosteroids in Early and Late Fetal Growth Restriction. Journal of Clinical Medicine, 14(14), 4876. https://doi.org/10.3390/jcm14144876