European Journal of Molecular & Clinical Medicine

Abstract

Background: To recognize and understand the short term effects of administration of prophylactic betamethasone, to the mother, on the foetal heart rate pattern.
Material and methods: This study was a cross sectional study. It was conducted over two years in department of Obstetrics and  Gynaecology, at Patna medical college and Hospital, Patna. After admission, a baseline Electronic Foetal Monitoring (FEM) test was done and repeated at 12 hourly intervals for the next 84 hours. Two doses of betamethasone intramuscularly were given at 24 hours interval. Foetal Heart Rate pattern like baseline, beat to variability, acceleration and deceleration were monitored. If FHR pattern showed any non-reassuring findings, EFM was repeated after 1 hour and followed up with Biophysical Profile (BPP).
Conclusion: betamethasone, induces changes in foetal physiology. These changes are not brought about by foetal hypoxia. Knowledge of the transient effects of betamethasone, will avoid unnecessary preterm delivery of babies. This will also reduce the number of caesarean sections in future pregnancies.