PLACENTAL-TRANSFER AND METABOLISM OF BETAMETHASONE IN HUMAN PREGNANCY

  • 1 January 1977
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 49  (4) , 471-474
Abstract
The concentration of betamethasone was measured in maternal peripheral plasma, umbilical cord artery and vein and amniotic fluid following maternal administration of betamethasone phosphate and betamethasone acetate on 3 consecutive days. Betamethasone was measured by radioimmunoassay following column chromatography. Betamethasone was transferred across the human placenta, circulated in the fetus and appeared in amniotic fluid. During the 3 days after the start of treatment, levels of the betamethasone were similar in maternal and umbilical cord blood and in amniotic fluid. Although levels in the mother were measurable for up to 7 days after the initial injection, the drug was detected in the cord plasma of only 1 baby. In vitro incubation studies of human placental tissue with 3H-betamethasone identified 11-keto betamethasone as the major metabolite of betamethasone.

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