E. Vaisbuch, R. Levy, Z. Hagay
The effect of betamethasone administration to pregnant women on maternal serum indicators of infection
Objective: To study the effect of betamethasone therapy
on maternal white blood cell count, C-reactive protein
and erythrocyte sedimentation rate in women at high
risk for preterm delivery.
Study design: We included women at gestational age of
24 to 34 weeks who were treated by betamethasone for
enhancement of fetal lung maturity, because of imminent
preterm labor with intact membranes. Blood tests for
white blood cell and differential count, C-reactive protein
and erythrocyte sedimentation rate were drawn before
betamethasone injection, 2 hours after, and then
every 24 hours for three days.
Results: 105 women were included. The mean white
blood cell count increased by 33% on day one, and returned
to baseline level three days after the first injection
of betamethasone. A significant rise in neutrophil count,
and drop in lymphocyte count was noted as early as two
hours after the first injection and lasted for two days.
Mean C-reactive protein and erythrocyte sedimentation
rate levels were not changed significantly by betamethasone
treatment.
Conclusions: Antenatal betamethasone therapy causes
a transient increase in maternal leukocyte count but has
no effect on serum C-reactive protein and erythrocyte
sedimentation rate. This information is relevant for
preterm pregnant women who are at high risk for
chorioamnionitis.
Journal of Perinatal Medicine, Walter de Gruyter
Print ISSN: 1619-3997
Volume: 30, 07/2002
Pages: 287 - 291
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