Effect of antenatal betamethasone on maternal and fetal amino acid concentration.
OBJECTIVE
To determine the concentration of amino acids in women receiving the first course of antenatal betamethasone and to evaluate the umbilical venous and arterial amino acid concentrations at the time of elective cesarean section after betamethasone administration.


METHODS
Blood samples were collected from 34 pregnant women at risk of premature delivery before and 24 and 48 hours after the first course of betamethasone. In addition, maternal and cord blood samples were collected in 13 women undergoing an elective cesarean section between 24 and 192 hours after betamethasone.


RESULTS
Maternal amino acid concentrations were significantly increased after the first dose of betamethasone. Overall total amino nitrogen increased 17.5% 24 hours after betamethasone administration and 20.5% after 48 hours. The concentration of most amino acids was increased both in the umbilical vein and artery after maternal betamethasone administration.


CONCLUSIONS
The concentration of maternal and fetal amino acids increases significantly after betamethasone administration.
Marconi
Anna Maria
AM
Division of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Department of Medicine, Surgery, and Dentistry, San Paolo Hospital, University of Milan, Milan, Italy.
Mariotti
Valentina
V
Teng
Cecilia
C
Ronzoni
Stefania
S
D'Amato
Barbara
B
Morabito
Alberto
A
Battaglia
Frederick C
FC
D000328:Adult; D000596:Amino Acids / Q000097:blood*; D001623:Betamethasone / Q000494:pharmacology*; D002585:Cesarean Section; D005260:Female; D005312:Fetal Blood / Q000737:chemistry*; D005333:Fetus / Q000187:drug effects*; D006801:Humans; D011247:Pregnancy
D000596:Amino Acids; D001623:Betamethasone