The last decade has seen rapid advances in the understanding of the central role of glucocorticoids in preparing the fetus for life after birth. However, relative to other organ systems, maturation by glucocorticoids of the fetal cardiovascular system has been ignored. Here, we review the effects of glucocorticoids on fetal basal cardiovascular function and on the fetal cardiovascular defense responses to acute stress. This is important because glucocorticoid-driven maturational changes in fetal cardiovascular function under basal and stressful conditions are central to the successful transition from intra- to extrauterine life. The cost-benefit balance for the cardiovascular health of the preterm baby of antenatal glucocorticoid therapy administered to pregnant women threatened with preterm birth is also discussed.

中文翻译：

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糖皮质激素促进胎儿心血管功能的成熟。


过去十年，人们对糖皮质激素在胎儿出生后的生活准备中的核心作用的理解取得了迅速进展。然而，相对于其他器官系统，糖皮质激素对胎儿心血管系统的成熟作用却被忽视了。在这里，我们回顾糖皮质激素对胎儿基础心血管功能和胎儿心血管对急性应激的防御反应的影响。这很重要，因为在基础和应激条件下，糖皮质激素驱动的胎儿心血管功能的成熟变化对于从宫内生活到宫外生活的成功过渡至关重要。还讨论了对有早产威胁的孕妇进行产前糖皮质激素治疗对早产儿心血管健康的成本效益平衡。