Abdolmajid Taheri-Kharameh - Assistant Professor, Department of Radiology, School of Medicine, Shahrekord University of Medical Sciences, Shahrekord, Iran
Sheida Shabanian - Assistant Professor, Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Shahrekord University of Medical Sciences, Shahrekord, Iran
Mohsen Khosravi - MD, Student Research Committee, Shahrekord University of Medical Sciences, Shahrekord, Iran
Soleiman Kheiri - Professor of Biostatistics, Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Health, Modeling in Health Research Center, Shahrekord University of Medical Sciences, Shahrekord, Iran

Background and aims: Biophysical evaluation of fetal profile and movements is a useful tool for assessing fetal health, which even has significant effects on neonatal health. This study aimed to compare the biophysical parameters of the profile – fetal movement index, in particular – before and after corticosteroid administration in two groups receiving dexamethasone and betamethasone. Methods: In this descriptive/analytical study, ۲۰۰ patients diagnosed with preterm delivery and admitted to the gynecology section of Hajar Hospital in Shahrekord in ۲۰۱۶ were investigated. Their demographic findings and medical histories were collected using a checklist form. Then their biophysical profiles ۲۴ to ۴۸ hours after corticosteroid administration were assessed. Finally, the data were analyzed by SPSS v. ۱۸ software using t test, chi-square and Fisher exact test. Results: According to our study results, there was a significant difference in fetal movements before and after receiving corticosteroids, and the decrease in the percentage of movements was greater in the betamethasone group (P < ۰.۰۰۱). Also, the biophysical profile was significantly different in the dexamethasone group compared to the betamethasone group (P < ۰.۰۰۱). No significant difference was found between two groups in terms of fetal respiration and non-stress test (NST) before and after receiving corticosteroids (P = ۰.۴۷ and P = ۰.۶۵, respectively). Conclusion: Dexamethasone administration had less effect on reducing fetal movement index than betamethasone administration. As the result, the biophysical profile was significantly different in the dexamethasone group compared to the betamethasone one.

Fetal movement, Betamethasone, Biophysical profile, Dexamethasone, Preterm delivery