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Why Is Dexamethasone Injection Given During Pregnancy? Safe For Baby?
Hi I am pregnant week 21 - 22. I am 39 years old. my doctor decided to give me dexamethasone injection after 2 weeks. week 24 she find that I have sugar in my urine test. she requested blood sugar test ( cola test ) I wish to know for what this injection ? is it because the head probably of the baby seems to be big? or the sex organs of the baby are big? she told me it is baby girl it is very clear. I read a lot in the internet about the use of dexa injection during pregnancy and i become more confused and is it safe for me and my baby? thanks
Wed, 6 Mar 2013
Hi,
Since you have positive urine sugar, it is likely that you may have excess blood sugar also, in other words, you have gestational diabetes, if you were not a diabetic earlier. Your doctor may have been thinking in terms of a possibility of premature induction in case of complications; dexamethasone is given to enhance fetal lung maturity when premature induction is contemplated. It helps to reduce the incidence of respiratory distress after delivery. Wish you safe motherhood.
Since you have positive urine sugar, it is likely that you may have excess blood sugar also, in other words, you have gestational diabetes, if you were not a diabetic earlier. Your doctor may have been thinking in terms of a possibility of premature induction in case of complications; dexamethasone is given to enhance fetal lung maturity when premature induction is contemplated. It helps to reduce the incidence of respiratory distress after delivery. Wish you safe motherhood.
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Hello,
Thanks for the query.
Dexamethasone is a steroid . Usually steroids are given for the lung maturity at term. Since you are only 24 weeks now, there is no indication for steroids as on now other than CAH.
It is better if you can provide more information. You can write to me directly on the link below: http://www.healthcaremagic.com/Funnel?page=askDoctorDirectly&docId=64926
I can explain you in detail.
regards,
Dr Nilofer
Thanks for the query.
Dexamethasone is a steroid . Usually steroids are given for the lung maturity at term. Since you are only 24 weeks now, there is no indication for steroids as on now other than CAH.
It is better if you can provide more information. You can write to me directly on the link below: http://www.healthcaremagic.com/Funnel?page=askDoctorDirectly&docId=64926
I can explain you in detail.
regards,
Dr Nilofer
I find this answer helpful
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