Study of Maternal Blood Glucose Levels and Blood Count after Betamethasone Therapy in Preterm Pregnancy

Abstract

Background: Premature birth is one of the largest problems in obstetrics today and the most significant cause of neonatal morbidity and mortality. An important complication of preterm birth is respiratory distress syndrome. Corticosteroids to the mother will help in accelerating the fetal lungs maturity. This study was undertaken to evaluate the blood sugar changes and white cell count in the mother, respectively, following antenatal corticosteroids.Objectives of the study: To evaluate changes in blood glucose levels, total leukocyte count, and differential count following betamethasone therapy in preterm labor. Materials and methods: A prospective cohort study was performed in women at 28-34 weeks of gestation with preterm labor receiving betamethasone. Fasting and postprandial blood sugar glucose values were obtained on days 2, 4, and 6 after betamethasone therapy from the day of admission. Total count (TC) and differential count (DC) were also measured on day 2 and day 4 from the day of admission. Results: In this study, FBS started rising from day 2 of betamethasone, with 93% having increased blood sugar. There was a significant change in FBS levels (p < 0.001) and PPBS levels (<0.001) following antenatal steroid therapy. Corticosteroid induced a significant neutrophilia and lymphocytopenia on day 2 following administration. Conclusion: Betamethasone resulted in an acute rise in fasting blood sugar and postprandial blood sugar, and leukocytosis is expected to peak in 24 hours, and the magnitude is small.