IMPACT OF MULTIPLE ANTENATAL DOSES OF BETAMETHASONE ON GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT OF MICE OFFSPRING

OBJECTIVE: Our purpose was to determine in a randomized, placebo-contr olled manner whether multiple antenatal doses of betamethasone affect long-term growth and development of exposed mouse offspring. STUDY DES IGN: Sixty pregnant CD-1 mice received either two, four, or eight ante partum doses of 0.1 mg betamethasone or placebo. Perinatal outcomes, g rowth, and development of the offspring were compared in a blinded man ner. Variables were compared by analysis of variance or chi(2) testing , RESULTS: Betamethasone-exposed subjects gained less weight during pr egnancy and were delivered of fewer live pups, with fewer male survivo rs and lower birth weights. These trends were dose related. Growth mea surements were similar after the neonatal period. No differences in fu nctional development and physical maturation in the offspring were not ed. The reproductive capability, perinatal outcomes, and growth and de velopment of the second-generation offspring were unaffected by betame thasone exposure. CONCLUSION: Multiple antenatal dosings of betamethas one, reaching toxic levels, did not have an impact on the long-term gr owth and development of;he surviving mouse offspring.