Postpartum bone mineral density following antenatal dexamethasone therapy

The aim of this study was to determine whether the changes in bone metaboli sm, which we have demonstrated previously with antenatal dexamethasone ther apy, are associated with a lower bone mineral density. We assessed bone min eral density in the proximal femur and lumbar spine using dual photon X-ray absorptiometry after delivery in 15 women who received dexamethasone thera py for fetal lung maturation, and in 30 women who did not have dexamethason e therapy in pregnancy. The absolute bone mineral density, T scores and Z s cores at the proximal femur and lumbar spine were similar, and the median v alues of T and Z scores were positive in both groups. We conclude that ante natal dexamethasone therapy has no long term effect on bone mineral density .