The objective of the study was to determine changeableness of blood cells count, hemoglobin (HGB) and hematocrit (HCT) within the peripheral blood of patients who received betamethasone during treatment of threatened preterm delivery. 65 patients at increased risk of preterm delivery received intramuscular injections of betamethasone 3 x 4 mg/day for fetal lung maturity and to decrease the risk of CNS trauma in newborns. RBC, HGB, HCT, WBC, neutrophils count and CRP level were measured before treatment and on the 1th, 2nd and 7th days after first dose of betamethasone. The steroid administration caused a significant decrease in RBC, HGB and HCT: The lowest levels were noticed on 2nd day. Statistically significant changes were observed between before and 1st day (p < 0.0001), before and 2nd day (p < 0.0001), before and Ist week (p < 0.05), 1st day and 1st week (p < 0.006), 2nd day and Ist week (p < 0.005). The level of WBC and neutrophils were increased. Their peak levels were noticed on 1st day. Statistically significant changes were observed between before and 1st day (p < 0.0001), before and 1st week (p < 0.0003), 1st day and 1st week (p < 0.0001), 2nd day and 1st week (p< 0.001). After 3 days there was a significant decrease of WBC and neutrophils count.
Conclusions: Intramuscular administration of 12 mg betamethasone per day caused decrease of the RBC, HGB and HCT account and elevation of the WBC and neutrophil count. All these parameters normalized after about 7 days.