Multiple gestations and maternal obesity do not appear to alter treatment's impact
FRIDAY, Sept. 10 (HealthDay News) -- Number of fetuses and maternal body mass index do not appear to have an effect on betamethasone concentrations in women taking antenatal corticosteroids to decrease respiratory distress syndrome in babies at risk of premature delivery, according to research published in the September issue of the American Journal of Obstetrics & Gynecology.
Cynthia Gyamfi, M.D., of Columbia University in New York City, and colleagues analyzed 55 maternal delivery and 45 cord blood samples from women receiving betamethasone in a trial to compare betamethasone concentrations in singletons and twins, and in maternal obesity and non-obesity.
The researchers found unadjusted median maternal serum concentrations higher in both twin gestations and in obese mothers, but that these differences disappeared after controlling for confounders. Ultimately, there were no differences in betamethasone concentrations between singleton and twin gestations and between obese and non-obese mothers.
"In this analysis we did not find a significant association between betamethasone levels and either plurality or obesity; therefore, the dosing used to achieve maternal or fetal serum levels is not likely to explain the apparent inefficacy of betamethasone in decreasing respiratory distress syndrome in twin gestations," the authors write.
Abstract
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