Jellyman JK, Gardner DS, McGarrigle HH, Fowden AL, Giussani DA. Antenatal glucocorticoid therapy increases glucose delivery to cerebral circulations during acute hypoxemia in fetal sheep during late gestation.
Am J Obstet Gynecol 2009;
201:82.e1-8. [PMID:
19371860 DOI:
10.1016/j.ajog.2009.01.012]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/24/2008] [Revised: 11/25/2008] [Accepted: 01/13/2009] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE
To determine the effects of 2 maternal injections with dexamethasone on the calculated oxygen and glucose deliveries to fetal cerebral and peripheral circulations during acute hypoxemia in sheep.
STUDY DESIGN
Beginning at 124 days, ewes received 2 intramuscular injections of either dexamethasone (2 x 12 mg, n = 10) or saline solution (2 x 2 mL, n = 12) 24 hours apart. Hypoxemia (1 hour) was induced 32 hours after the first injection (H1) and 3 days after the second (H2).
RESULTS
In saline solution-treated fetuses, glucose delivery was unchanged or increased in femoral and carotid circulations, respectively, during H1 and H2. In dexamethasone-treated fetuses, the increase in glucose delivery to the head tended to be greater during H1 and was significantly enhanced in dexamethasone- vs saline solution-treated fetuses during H2.
CONCLUSION
Two maternal injections with dexamethasone significantly enhanced glucose delivery to the head during acute hypoxemia in the ovine fetus.
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