Tehran University Medical Journal

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Betamethason Causes adrenal suppression in woman at risk of pre‌term delivery.
Materials and Methods: An interventional study was done on 25 women at risk of pre-term delivery, Betamethason course (12-mg-im q 24 hr for 2 doses) was prescribed for 2 consecutive weeks. ACTH Stimulation test was done one week after each Betamethason injection. (1st between 30-31 w and the 2nd one week later. Serum Cortisol levels were measured before betamethason administration and then before and 30 minutes after ACTH Stimulation test.
Results: All Subjects had normal baseline Cortisol level. Mean baseline serum Cortisol levels decreased with each ACTH stimulation test from 24.32±0.77 ug/dl ( before Betamethason) to 7.33±1.73 ug/dl ( one week after the second course of Betamethasone) (p < 0.0001). The mean stimulated Cortisol levels also decreased from 23.93±1.44, ug/dl (befor Betamathason) to 19.53=+2.69 (one week after the second course of Betamethasone) (P<0.007), compared with initial ACTH stimulation test. Laboratory evidence of adrenal suppression (Cortisol < 6 ug/dl) observed in three patients one week after the first course of betamathasone injection and in 15 patienst after the second course. No sign or symptom of Addisonian Crisis occurred antepartum or intrapartum.
Conclusion: Antenatal administration of Betamethasone caused measurable adrenal suppression in women at risk of preterm delivery. The number of women with adrenal suppression increased each week that antenatal betamethason was repeated.

 

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Background: The aim of this study was to assess the knowledge, attitude and practice of pregnant women about benefits and doses of folic acid consumption during pregnancy.

Materials and Methods: A simple randomized study has been done with 300 pregnant women in (Mahdied, Shohada, Shariati) hospital. Women were asked about their information and about consumption of folic acid in order to prevent nural tube defect and reasons for not taking it.

Results: There were 300 women, 150 (50%) had been recommended before to consume folic acid but only 46 (31%) of them used it during pregnancy. There were 37 (12%) who aware about taking it.

Conclusion: Although 50% of women had been recommended to consume of folic acid, less than 50% of the women who were surveyed have been taking it. Strategies are required to increase folate intake among pregnant women and inform of the benefits of folate supplementation by the health eduction.