The Effect Of Dexamethasone On Glucose Metablism Of Pregnant Women For Fetal Lung Maturity

Objective To investigate the effects of dexamethasone on glucose metabolism of pregnant women for fetal lung maturity.Methods 56 pregnant women at 28～33 weeks gestation who were diagnosed threatened premature labor and needed promoting fetal lung maturation were recruited in the women's hospital, school of medicine, Zhejiang university from Jan 2008 to Jan 2010.The selected cases consisted of 22 women with singleton pregnancy (groupⅠ) 18 with twin pregnancy (groupⅡ).and 16 cases with singleton pregnancy complicating gestational impaired glucose (groupⅢ). Dexamethasone was used to promote fetal lung maturation for all of these cases. Serum glucose and insulin levels were collected at the time of injected dexamethasone before and after 24,48 and 72 hours by enzyme method.Results (1) Serum glucose levels in groupⅡandⅢat 24 and 48 hours after injected dexamethasone were significantly higher than in group I(6.9±2.5mmol/L,7.3±1.9 mmol/L,7.3±2.4 mmol/L,8.1±3.1 mmol/L,5.3±2.2 mmol/L and 5.4±1.6 mmol/L, respectively, P<0.01).(2) Although there were no significantly different in serum glucose levels among groupⅠ, groupⅡandⅢbefore injected dexamethasone and 72 hours after injected, the serum insulin levels in groupⅢwere significantly higher than in groupⅡandⅢat the same times.(3) Serum insulin levels in groupⅠwere significantly lower than these of groupⅡandⅢat 24 hours and 48 hours after injected dexamethasone (45.3±17.2 mU/L,56.2±21.4 mU/L,68.8±21.5 mU/L,98.3±31.9 mU/L, 76.9±22.4 mU/L and 106.1±33.1 mU/L, respectively, P<0.01).Conclusions Maternal glucose metabolism abnormality resulting from dexamethasone for promoting fetal lung maturity may concern to pregnancy parity and impaired glucose tolerance.