Although these treatments continue to be recommended during pregnancy when there is a risk of premature delivery, vigilance is necessary regarding their effects on the child’s cardiovascular system.
- Faced with a risk of premature delivery, corticosteroid therapy promotes the lung development of the fetus.
- These treatments can cause heart and circulatory problems in the unborn child.
- However, corticosteroid therapy is still recommended but under enhanced medical supervision.
In pregnancies at risk of premature delivery, corticosteroid therapy is used to promote the lung development of the fetus. However, research published in The FASEB Journal emphasizes that these treatments should be used with caution because of the risk of heart and circulatory problems in children.
The effects of corticosteroid therapy in pregnancies at risk of preterm delivery
The risk of premature delivery concerns approximately 8% of births in France. Among the complications linked to this situation, we find bronchopulmonary dysplasia which comes from the fact that the majority of the child’s lungs are formed after the 32nd week of pregnancy. To limit this delay, doctors use a technique called antepartum, aimed at accelerating the lung development of the fetus by administering corticosteroid therapy in the 48 hours preceding delivery. These treatments improve the chances of survival of the newborn but also carry risks for the health of the fetus.
The mechanisms of corticosteroid therapy detailed
In research published in The FASEB Journal, the mechanisms of the two most commonly used corticosteroids – dexamethasone and betamethasone – were analyzed. The results showed that betamethasone caused greater heart dysfunction than dexamethasone and greater impairment of blood vessel dilation. Dexamethasone, on the other hand, caused more constriction of blood vessels.
The risks of corticosteroid therapy for children
Corticosteroids used in antepartum treatments not only affect fetal lung development, but can also cause heart and circulatory problems in offspring. Studies have shown that corticosteroid therapy increases the risk of heart disorders such as endothelial dysfunction (a disruption of normal blood vessel function) and vascular dysfunction. In some studies, small birth size has also been linked to antepartum steroid use.
Use of corticosteroids: doctors must be careful
Although corticosteroid therapy is an effective treatment for promoting fetal lung development in pregnancies at risk of preterm delivery, researchers emphasize that physicians should exercise caution when using it and closely monitor any adverse effects on the baby.
