Betamethasone alteration of the one-hour glucose challenge test in pregnancy.
OBJECTIVE
To determine if betamethasone administration alters the one-hour (50-g) glucose challenge test (GCT) and, if so, to determine the duration of this effect.


METHODS
Pregnant women with singleton gestations eligible to receive antenatal betamethasone (24-34 weeks) with no evidence of infection, diabetes mellitus, hepatic or pancreatic disease, betamimetic therapy or prolonged steroid use were invited to participate. Betamethasone (12 mg) was administered intramuscularly upon admission and repeated in 24 hours. After an 8-hour fast, a 50-g GCT was administered 24 hours (day 1) and 72 hours (day 3) after the second betamethasone injection. Plasma glucose samples were drawn one hour after the glucose challenge. Statistical analysis utilized the McNemar exact test.


RESULTS
Seven patients, all with normal GCTs 7-10 days outside the study period, were enrolled. Six had abnormal GCT results on day 1 (P = .03). Three had abnormal results on day 3.


CONCLUSIONS
Betamethasone administration results in abnormal one-hour GCTs in pregnant women.
Division of Maternal-Fetal Medicine, Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Reproductive Sciences, University of Texas Medical School at Houston, 6431 Fannin, Suite 3.604, Houston, TX 77030, USA. joan.m.mastrobattista@uth.tmc.edu
J M
JM
Mastrobattista
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N
Patel
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Monga
D000328:Adult; D019540:Area Under Curve; D001623:Betamethasone / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D001786:Blood Glucose / Q000032:analysis / Q000187:drug effects*; D005260:Female; D005938:Glucocorticoids / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D018149:Glucose Intolerance / Q000097:blood / Q000139:chemically induced*; D005951:Glucose Tolerance Test; D006801:Humans; D007273:Injections, Intramuscular; D011247:Pregnancy / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism; D011248:Pregnancy Complications / Q000097:blood / Q000139:chemically induced*; D013997:Time Factors
D001786:Blood Glucose; D005938:Glucocorticoids; D001623:Betamethasone