Betamethasone is a medication given to pregnant individuals when there is a risk of preterm birth. This medication prepares the baby for an earlier arrival. It is one of several treatments used to improve outcomes for infants born prematurely.
Understanding Betamethasone and Its Purpose
Betamethasone is a type of corticosteroid, synthetic versions of hormones naturally produced by the body. In pregnancy, its primary function is to accelerate the development of a baby’s lungs before preterm birth. This preparation is important because infants born prematurely often have underdeveloped organs, particularly their lungs, which can lead to serious breathing difficulties.
Lung maturity is important for premature infants because their lungs are not fully developed. Without sufficient development, premature infants are susceptible to conditions like neonatal respiratory distress syndrome (RDS), where their lungs lack components to inflate properly. Betamethasone mitigates these risks by enhancing lung readiness.
How Betamethasone Aids Fetal Development
Betamethasone aids fetal lung development by stimulating the production of surfactant, a substance composed of fats and proteins that lines the air sacs in the lungs. Surfactant reduces the surface tension in the alveoli, preventing them from collapsing when the infant exhales. Premature infants often do not produce enough surfactant on their own, making this stimulation beneficial.
This medication offers several health advantages for the baby. It reduces the risk and severity of respiratory distress syndrome (RDS). Additionally, betamethasone helps decrease the likelihood of intraventricular hemorrhage (IVH), brain bleeds, and necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC), an intestinal infection. Studies indicate that betamethasone can reduce the overall chance of death in premature infants by as much as 40 percent.
Administration and Timing of Treatment
Betamethasone is administered to the mother through intramuscular injections. The course involves two doses of 12 milligrams, given 24 hours apart. The medication then travels through the mother’s bloodstream to reach the developing baby.
The administration of betamethasone is recommended when there is a risk of preterm birth within seven days. This treatment is given between 24 and 34 weeks of gestation. In certain situations, such as a singleton pregnancy with an imminent risk of preterm birth, it may also be considered for individuals between 34 and 36 weeks and six days of gestation if they have not previously received corticosteroids. Clinical scenarios prompting its use include threatened preterm labor or a planned preterm birth due to maternal or fetal health reasons.
Important Considerations for Parents
Parents should be aware of common, temporary effects of betamethasone treatment for both the mother and the baby. For the mother, there may be a temporary increase in blood sugar levels and white blood cell count. These changes are monitored by healthcare providers.
For the baby, temporary effects include a decrease in fetal movements or changes in heart rate variability. These are short-lived and resolve after treatment. When used appropriately, betamethasone has a safe profile with no significant long-term adverse effects reported for the baby. It is important to understand that betamethasone is given to prepare the baby’s organs for early delivery, not to stop labor itself.