Sign-in to Ask A Doctor - 24x7
OR
Sign in with GoogleGet your health question answered instantly from our pool of 18000+ doctors from over 80 specialties
What Are The Risks Involved In Taking Betnesol When Pregnant?
Hello Doctor, Good day to you. My friend is 32 weeks pregnant now. Her amniotic fluid is 36 which is high - I am told. We went to another doctor to take a second opinion to understand the risks involved in her pregnancy since the previous doctor did not educate us on the same. The baby is 2.3 kgs now. My friend has been advised to take Betnesol injection (12mg). When we went to the near by clinic - we were told that there risks involved in giving this injection and so we returned back. Her blood test results taken on 10th March 2014 are given here : Glucose fasting - 107, 1 hr later - 156, 2 hrs later - 133. HBAIC - 5.1, Mean blood glucose level - 104.2 What are the risks involved in taking Betnesol? Can this injection be taken a little later say in the 36 week or so? What are the benefits of taking this injection? I would grateful if you can give detailed answers!
posted on
Sat, 15 Mar 2014
Medically reviewed by
Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team
Sat, 15 Mar 2014
Answered on
Tue, 18 Mar 2014
Last reviewed on
Hello and welcome,
She seems to have a slightly high glucose. Raised blood sugar also increases amniotic fluid. Betnesol is used to help the baby achieve maturity of its lungs early. So that if early delivery occurs or is needed due to the increased amniotic fluid, the baby will have better developed lungs and will be able to breathe better and survive.
Conflicting results about adverse effects of betnesol are available. Some studies showed that is caused jaundice in baby. However the benefits of lung maturity are more than the easily treatable jaundice of children.
It is not advocated to give betnesol after 34 weeks as most babies begin to have natural development of the lungs by then. Also the chances of jaundice are more if given in late pregnancy.
So take it before 34 weeks as that is the best time for betnesol if preterm delivery is advocated.
Hope this helped.
Thanks for using HCM.
Have a safe delivery.
Dr Madhuri Bagde
Consultant Obstetrician and Gynecologist
She seems to have a slightly high glucose. Raised blood sugar also increases amniotic fluid. Betnesol is used to help the baby achieve maturity of its lungs early. So that if early delivery occurs or is needed due to the increased amniotic fluid, the baby will have better developed lungs and will be able to breathe better and survive.
Conflicting results about adverse effects of betnesol are available. Some studies showed that is caused jaundice in baby. However the benefits of lung maturity are more than the easily treatable jaundice of children.
It is not advocated to give betnesol after 34 weeks as most babies begin to have natural development of the lungs by then. Also the chances of jaundice are more if given in late pregnancy.
So take it before 34 weeks as that is the best time for betnesol if preterm delivery is advocated.
Hope this helped.
Thanks for using HCM.
Have a safe delivery.
Dr Madhuri Bagde
Consultant Obstetrician and Gynecologist
I find this answer helpful
Disclaimer: These answers are for your information only and not intended to replace your relationship with your treating physician.
This is a short, free answer.
For a more detailed, immediate answer, try our premium service
[Sample answer]
Related questions you may be interested in
Recent questions on Amniocentesis
Loading Online Doctors....