Constriction of the fetal ductus arteriosus during prenatal betamethasone therapy.

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.