Evidence map›Paper›PMID 40082797›Full record

SynthesisBMC pregnancy and childbirth2025

Effects of antenatal corticosteroid therapy in animal models of fetal growth restriction: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Mette van de Meent, Dianne G Kleuskens, Jan B Derks, Floris Groenendaal, Wes Onland, Wessel Ganzevoort, A Titia Lely, Carlijn R Hooijmans, Judith Kooiman

Abstract readSystematic ReviewMeta-Analysis
PubMed Full text at PMC Publisher
In one paragraph

Synthesis in BMC pregnancy and childbirth, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 4 papers.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
4citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

4 citing papers in PubMed.

  1. Review
  2. Article
  3. Article
  4. Review
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

9 authors.

Mette van de MeentDepartment of Obstetrics, University Medical Center Utrecht, Wilhelmina Children's Hospital, Lundlaan 6, Utrecht, EA, 3584, The Netherlands.
Dianne G KleuskensDepartment of Obstetrics, University Medical Center Utrecht, Wilhelmina Children's Hospital, Lundlaan 6, Utrecht, EA, 3584, The Netherlands.
Jan B DerksDepartment of Obstetrics, University Medical Center Utrecht, Wilhelmina Children's Hospital, Lundlaan 6, Utrecht, EA, 3584, The Netherlands.
Floris GroenendaalDepartment of Neonatology, University Medical Center Utrecht, Wilhelmina Children's Hospital, Lundlaan 6, Utrecht, EA, 3584, The Netherlands.
Wes OnlandDepartment of Neonatology, Amsterdam University Medical Center, Location AMC, Meibergdreef 9, Amsterdam, AZ, 1105, The Netherlands.
Wessel GanzevoortAmsterdam Reproduction & Development Research Institute, Meibergdreef 9, Amsterdam, AZ, 1105, The Netherlands.
A Titia LelyDepartment of Obstetrics, University Medical Center Utrecht, Wilhelmina Children's Hospital, Lundlaan 6, Utrecht, EA, 3584, The Netherlands.
Carlijn R HooijmansDepartment of Anesthesiology, Pain and Palliative Care, Meta Research Team, Radboud University Medical Center, Geert Grooteplein Zuid 10, Nijmegen, GA, 6525, The Netherlands.
Judith KooimanDepartment of Obstetrics, University Medical Center Utrecht, Wilhelmina Children's Hospital, Lundlaan 6, Utrecht, EA, 3584, The Netherlands. j.kooiman@umcutrecht.nl.

Funding

ZonMw 40-42600-98-472
6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundAntenatal corticosteroids (CCS) reduce the risks of neonatal morbidity and mortality following spontaneous preterm birth. It is however debated whether effects of antenatal CCS hold for pregnancies complicated by fetal growth restriction (FGR) at risk for preterm birth. This study aimed to summarize effects of antenatal CCS in animal models of FGR by performing a systematic review and meta-analysis.

methodsThe protocol for this systematic review was registered prospectively at PROSPERO (CRD42022318861). A systematic search was performed in PubMed and Embase from inception to April 5th 2023. Animal studies reporting on effects of antenatal CCS compared to placebo or non-treatment in FGR and appropriately grown offspring were included. Primary outcomes were fetal or neonatal mortality, organ developmental parameters (i.e. cardiac, brain, lung), glucose metabolism and fetal weight. Meta-analysis was performed using a random effects model. The quality of the included studies was assessed with the SYRCLE's risk of bias tool.

resultsThe literature search yielded 10,386 unique hits. Eight studies were included in the systematic review. In terms of therapeutic effects, lung development and surfactant production were significantly accelerated by antenatal CCS in both FGR and non-FGR. Regarding drug safety, effects of antenatal CCS on fetal weight and brain development were similar for FGR and appropriately grown offspring except for one marker (4-hydroxynonenal) of brain injury, which was more pronounced in FGR offspring. Risk of bias appeared to be unclear for most studies across all domains.

conclusionThis systematic review illustrates that therapeutic and side effects of antenatal CCS are mainly similar in animal models of FGR as in non-FGR. These findings could therefore support the current recommendation of international guidelines to administer CCS to patients diagnosed with FGR at risk for preterm birth.

Indexed as

Adrenal Cortex HormonesFetal Growth RetardationAnimalsAnimals, NewbornDisease Models, AnimalFemaleFetal DevelopmentPregnancyPremature BirthAdrenal Cortex HormonesAnimal modelsAntenatal corticosteroidFetal growth restrictionMeta-analysisSystematic review

Identifiers

PMID40082797
PMCPMC11908052

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Registered trials

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.