title: Effect of antenatal betamethasone on maternal and fetal amino acid concentration.
abstract: 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.
authors.affiliation: Division of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Department of Medicine, Surgery, and Dentistry, San Paolo Hospital, University of Milan, Milan, Italy.
authors.forename: Anna Maria
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Marconi
authors.forename: Valentina
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Mariotti
authors.forename: Cecilia
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Teng
authors.forename: Stefania
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Ronzoni
authors.forename: Barbara
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: D'Amato
authors.forename: Alberto
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Morabito
authors.forename: Frederick C
authors.initials: FC
authors.lastname: Battaglia
mesh_terms: 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
chemical_list: D000596:Amino Acids; D001623:Betamethasone