Betamethasone and intrauterine fetal death

Three cases of intrauterine fetal death occurring shortly (within 24 h) after betamethasone administration are described. Two of the women were diabetic, and the third had secondary infertility due to hyperprolactinemia. None of the stillborns had evidence of gross malformations. In view of the fact that infants born prematurely now have a better chance of survival in intensive-care units than in previous years, we believe that for certain high-risk mothers, the policy of betamethasone administration for preventing respiratory distress syndrome in premature babies must be revised.