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CompletedNCT02793700Updated Mar 29, 2022

Pharmacokinetics (PK) and Modeling of Betamethasone Therapy in Threatened Preterm Birth

An observational study in Premature Labor, sponsored by Indiana University. Completed at 2 sites in United States. Open to female participants aged 18 Years and older, including healthy volunteers. Per ClinicalTrials.gov, last updated 2022-03-29.

Sponsored by Indiana University · Observational

Study type
Observational
Model
Other
Time perspective
Prospective
Enrollment
210
Ages
18 Years and older
Sex
Female
01

Study summary

Respiratory distress syndrome (RDS) is a life-threatening condition for premature neonates. Antenatal glucocorticoids have been used clinically in women with threatened preterm birth to accelerate lung maturation for more than 40 years. The current treatment strategy for women with threatened preterm delivery is for a standard, "one size fits all" dosing with either betamethasone (BMZ) or dexamethasone. It is well known that pregnancy introduces additional variability in response to medication therapy with different physiological changes and alterations in the activity of drug metabolizing enzymes. The objective of this project is to evaluate the pharmacokinetic (PK), pharmacodynamic, and pharmacogenetic parameters of betamethasone (BMZ) and determine the differences in response and benefit in pregnancy. An individualized dosing approach to medications in pregnancy, such as BMZ, is crucial to optimize efficacy of this important medication.

Read the detailed description

After consent, a maternal sample of whole blood will be obtained for DNA isolation. Investigators will collect plasma samples at 4 time points on all participants. These will be done at baseline (pre-dose), and 0.5-2 hours, 4-6 hours, and 22-24 hours after the first dose of BMZ is administered. Investigators will obtain serum for estriol measurement on all participants before or within 2 hours of antenatal corticosteroid administration and about 24 hours after each dose is given (betamethasone is administered as 2 doses 24 hours apart). Investigators will obtain a saliva sample for measurement of estriol at the same times. Participants will be offered optional participation in a more detailed PK portion of the study. Participants who consent to this part of the study will have additional plasma samples obtained at a schedule of sampling of approximately 10-15 hours after the first dose and then 6-8 hours, 24, and 48 hours after the 2nd dose. One sample will be collected at each of these times. At the time of delivery, umbilical cord blood will be collected before being discarded for DNA, serum and plasma. Four placenta sections will be collected. A maternal blood sample will also be obtained for serum and plasma. If the investigators are unable to obtain umbilical cord blood, a buccal swab will be collected from the baby for DNA extraction. A chart review will be done on the infant within 30 days of birth to review and record neonatal outcomes.

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Conditions studied

  • Premature Labor

Keywords

  • Betamethasone
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In context

Premature Birth

2,554 studies on the registry are indexed under Premature Birth; 498 are open to participants now.

This study's enrollment of 210 is above the median of 112 across 777 observational studies indexed under Premature Birth.

Browse Premature Birth studies →

Lead sponsor

Indiana University is the lead sponsor of 958 studies on the registry; 200 are open to participants now.

Of its 142 completed or terminated interventional studies of FDA-regulated products, 112 (79%) have results posted.

Counted across the registry records on this site, refreshed daily.

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Who can participate

Ages eligible
18 Years and older
Sexes eligible
Female
Accepts healthy volunteers
Yes
Sampling method
Probability sample

Study population

Women 18 years of age or older who are between 23-34 weeks gestation and being administered BMZ for fetal lung maturity.

Inclusion criteria

  • Gestational age between 23-34 weeks with a diagnosis of threatened preterm labor or preterm premature rupture of membranes, or other diagnosis with a high likelihood of preterm delivery where the provider is recommending administering antenatal corticosteroids
  • Singleton gestation
  • Live fetus at the time of enrollment
  • Being administered antenatal corticosteroids to enhance lung maturity
  • Ability to provide written informed consent to participate in the study

Exclusion criteria

Exclusion Criteria:

  • Maternal age \<18 years old
  • Major congenital anomalies
  • Known severe abruptio placentae at the time of enrollment
  • Multiple gestations
  • Hepatic failure (history of hepatic failure, cirrhosis or 2- fold increase in Aspartate Aminotransferase (AST) or Alanine Aminotransferase (ALT)
  • Renal failure (serum creatinine > 2 mg/dl)
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Study design

Observational model
Other
Time perspective
Prospective
Enrollment
210 participants (actual)
Patient registry
No
Biospecimen retention
Samples with dna
06

What researchers measure

Primary outcomes

  1. Diagnosis of respiratory distress syndrome

    The diagnosis of RDS made by the neonatologist staff based on clinical criteria

    Time frame: up to 30 days of life

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Study locations

2 sites
  • Eskenazi Hospital
    Indianapolis, Indiana 46202, United States
  • IUH Methodist Hospital
    Indianapolis, Indiana 46202, United States
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References and documents

Individual participant data

Plan to share: Undecided — No plan for availability of individual participant data

No publications or documents are linked to this record.

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Updates

Tracking since Sep 25, 2026
No changes since tracking began. The registry record was last updated on Mar 29, 2022, before this site started recording changes on Sep 25, 2026. Its history is on ClinicalTrials.gov ↗
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Registry details

Key details

Study ID
NCT02793700
Lead sponsor
Indiana University
Responsible party
David Haas (Dr, MD, MS, Indiana University) — Principal investigator
First posted
Jun 8, 2016
Start date
Jul 2016
Primary completion
Mar 2022
Completion
Mar 2022
Last update
Mar 29, 2022

Study contacts

David M Haas, MD, MS
principal investigator · Indiana University

Oversight

Data monitoring committee
No
View the source record on ClinicalTrials.gov ↗

Not currently enrolling

This study is completed, as verified in Mar 2022. You cannot join it, but the record below documents what was studied.

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