Effect of fetal dexamethasone exposure on the development of adult insulin sensitivity in a rat model.

Objective: A rat model was designed to determine if fetal dexamethasone exposure is associated with decreased insulin sensitivity in adulthood, manifested as decreased binding of p85 to phosphorylated insulin receptor substrate-1 (IRS-1) within the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI 3-kinase) pathway of insulin signaling. Additionally, the study investigated whether a differential effect exists in male and female rodent offspring, such that females demonstrate decreased binding of p85 to IRS-1 after exposure to dexamethasone in utero.

Methods: Timed-pregnant Sprague-Dawley rats received either tap water or dexamethasone in drinking water from day 13 of gestation until delivery.

Risk of cesarean wound complications in diabetic gestations.

Objective: This study was undertaken to examine the association between pregestational diabetes mellitus (DM) and wound complications after cesarean delivery (CD).

Study Design: This was a retrospective, observational cohort study in patients with type 1 and 2 DM compared with non-DM controls undergoing CD. Wound complications were defined as wound infection, wound separation greater than 1 cm, and wound dehiscence.

Antenatal dexamethasone: effect on ovine placental 11beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 2 expression and fetal growth.

Antenatal glucocorticoids are routinely given to women at risk for preterm delivery. The fetus is protected from excessive glucocorticoids by the placental enzyme 11beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 2 (11beta-HSD-2), which catalyzes the conversion of cortisol to its biologically inactive metabolite, cortisone. We examined the effects of antenatal dexamethasone on the expression of placental 11beta-HSD-2 in fetal sheep.