The effect of antenatal dexamethasone on maternal and fetal retinol-binding protein

Sixteen rhesus monkeys received 0.1 to 15 mg/kg of antenatal dexamethasone at 132 days' gestation; seven control animals received placebo. At 135 days' gestation they underwent cesarean section, and maternal and fetal serum was assayed for retinol-binding protein. Fetal and maternal concentrations of retinol-binding protein increased after dexamethasone (p less than 0.05) and there was a trend for fetal levels of retinol-binding protein to increase with increasing dosage (p less than 0.01). Whether the elevation of retinol-binding protein in response to antenatal dexamethasone is a desirable side effect is not clear at this time.