To investigate the effect of prenatal dexamethasone on the level of blood glucose and bilirubin in premature infants.

Eighty preterm infants deliveried between 30 and 34 weeks were enrolled in our neonatal intensive care unit.Infants whose mothers received dexamethasone before delivery (observation group: n=40) were compared with those infants whose mothers did not receive dexamethasone (control group: n=40). Forty cases of full-term newborn were selected as term newborn group.The changes of serum bilirubin and blood glucose levels were determined.

There were 7 cases of premature infants with hypoglycemia in the observation group, and there were 4 cases of premature infants with hypoglycemia in the control group 24 hours after birth.There was no significant difference between the two groups (χ²=0.95, P>0.05). There were 8 cases of premature infants with hyperbilirubinemia in the observation group, and there were 4 cases of premature infants with hyperbilirubinemia in the control group 3 days after birth, and there was no significant difference between the two groups (χ²=1.57, P>0.05). Bilirubin levels in 24 hours, 2 days and 3 days after birth were higher in the observation group [(58.82±7.35)μmol/L, (131.84±24.80)μmol/L, (209.30±27.36)μmol/L respectively]than those in control group [(51.64±6.33)μmol/L, (114.91±20.35)μmol/L, (157.15±37.62)μmol/L, respectively]and term newborn group [(52.16±8.21)μmol/L, (120.38±14.71)μmol/L, (166.38±30.10)μmol/L respectively], bilirubin levels showed significant difference among the three groups (P<0.01). Blood glucose levels were lower in the observation group [(2.58±0.55)mmol/L]than that in control group [(2.91±0.52)mmol/L]and term newborn group [(3.03±0.61)mmol/L]in 24 hours after birth, blood glucose levels showed significant difference among the three groups (P<0.01). There was no significant difference in blood glucose level among observation group, control group and term newborn group 2 days after birth[(3.95±1.05)mmol/L, (4.06±0.95)mmol/L, (4.14±0.83)mmol/L respectively]. There was no significant difference in blood glucose level among observation group, control group and term newborn group 3 days after birth[(4.09±0.90)mmol/L, (4.12±0.98)mmol/L, (4.24±1.00)mmol/L respectively]. There was no significant difference in bilirubin between gestational age 30~32 weeks in 24 hours, 2 days and 3 days after birth in the observation group[(58.82±8.55)μmol/L, (136.12±23.09)μmol/L, (215.29±25.99)μmol/L respectively]and 33~34 weeks of gestational age group[(58.88±6.50)μmol/L, (128.76±25.99)μmol/L, (204.86±28.04)μmol/L respectively]. There was no significant difference in blood glucose between gestational age 30~32 weeks[(2.50±0.60)mmol/L]and 33~34 weeks of gestational age group[(2.63±0.51)mmol/L]in the observation group in 24 hours after birth.

Prenatal dexamethasone might decrease the blood glucose level and increase the level of serum bilirubin in preterm infants.

Dexamethasone; Infant, premature; Hyperbilirubinemia, neonatal; Hypoglycemia