Fetal lung elasticity changes following antenatal betamethasone administration assessed by shear-wave elastography
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By
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Gusztav Labossa
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Reka A. Vass
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Tibor Ertl
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Jozsef Bodis
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Kalman Kovacs
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June 24, 2026
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Clinical Scorecard: Alterations in Fetal Lung Elasticity After Antenatal Betamethasone Treatment Evaluated Through Shear-Wave Elastography
At a Glance
| Category | Detail |
|---|
| Condition | Fetal Lung Elasticity Assessment |
| Key Mechanisms | Shear-wave elastography (SWE) measures tissue stiffness to evaluate fetal lung response to antenatal corticosteroids. |
| Target Population | Pregnant women at risk of preterm birth between 24 and 34 weeks of gestation. |
| Care Setting | Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Pécs, Hungary. |
Key Highlights
- Fetal lung elasticity decreases significantly 24 hours after antenatal betamethasone administration.
- No significant change in lung elasticity was observed 1 minute post-treatment.
- SWE may provide a non-invasive method to assess fetal lung maturation.
Guideline-Based Recommendations
Diagnosis
- Use SWE to evaluate fetal lung elasticity in pregnancies at risk of preterm birth.
Management
- Administer antenatal corticosteroids between 24 and 34 weeks of gestation when preterm delivery is anticipated.
Monitoring & Follow-up
- Monitor maternal blood pressure and fetal well-being after corticosteroid administration.
Risks
- Consider variations in fetal drug exposure due to maternal metabolism and placental function.
Patient & Prescribing Data
Pregnant women receiving antenatal corticosteroid therapy.
Antenatal corticosteroids accelerate fetal lung maturation and reduce neonatal respiratory morbidity.
Clinical Best Practices
- Follow institutional protocols for antenatal corticosteroid administration.
- Utilize SWE for real-time assessment of fetal lung maturation.
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