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4120798 
Journal Article 
Antenatal betamethasone therapy: effects on maternal, fetal, and neonatal mineralocorticoids, glucocorticoids, and progestins 
Dorr, HG; Versmold, HT; Sippell, WG; Bidlingmaier, F; Knorr, D 
1986 
Yes 
Journal of Pediatrics
ISSN: 0022-3476
EISSN: 1097-6833 
IPA/87/701029 
Pediatr 
REF 12 
990-993 
English 
IPA COPYRIGHT: ASHP Glucocorticoid and mineralocorticoid activity was measured in 3 male and 2 female premature infants approximately 32-35 wk gestation whose mothers had been given 2 doses of 8 mg intramuscular betamethasone sodium phosphate (Celestan Soluble; I) injection, at 48 and 24 h before the onset of birth, for the prevention of respiratory distress syndrome. Three male and 5 female premature infants (33-36 wk gestation) with uneventful perinatal and postnatal courses served as controls. The results showed suppression only for the active glucocorticoids, cortisol and corticosterone, whereas the inactive glucocorticoids (cortisone and 11-deoxy-cortisol) were unaffected. Mineralocorticoids and progestins were not significantly suppressed. Despite a marked suppression of all fetal glucocorticoids by antenatal I treatment, there was complete recovery immediately after birth. It was concluded that short term antenatal I therapy for the prevention of respiratory distress syndrome appears to have no detrimental effects on adrenal function of the neonate.