Betamethasone is a type of medicine that can be used for both adults and fetuses. In this article, we’ll explain what betamethasone is and how it relates to birth injury law.

Key Takeaways

• Betamethasone is a corticosteroid used as a treatment for itchy, swollen, or irritated skin
• Betamethasone can treat conditions like eczema, psoriasis, and contact dermatitis
• Side effects of betamethasone are rare and include burning, stinging, skin thinning, stretch marks, and more
• Betamethasone can also be given in utero to fetuses via injection to the pregnant parent
• In fetuses, betamethasone can be used to speed up lung development, reduce the risk of brain bleed, and reduce the risk of necrotizing enterocolitis

What Is Betamethasone?

Betamethasone is a type of corticosteroid medicine used as a treatment for itchy, swollen, and irritated skin. Stronger than other treatments like hydrocortisone skin creams, betamethasone is available as a prescription only, usually prescribed only when other medicines have not worked. 

Betamethasone can come as:

• Ointment
• Lotion
• Cream
• Scalp treatments like foams and lotions
• Medicated plasters
• Drops for the ears, eyes, or nose
• Tablets
• Injections 

Conditions that betamethasone can treat include:

• Eczema
• Contact dermatitis
• Psoriasis
• Allergies

Side Effects of Betamethasone

Betamethasone is unlikely to cause side effects when used in accordance with instructions. It is more likely to cause side effects when used on a large area of the skin for long periods of time or on sensitive areas off the skin such as the face. Some people using betamethasone will get burning or stinging for a few minutes that goes away after a few days of continued use.

More serious side effects of betamethasone include:

• Skin thinning
• Stretch marks 
• Anaphylaxis
• Slowed growth of children and teenagers

People with any of the following side effects should stop using betamethasone and see a doctor immediately:

• Red or swollen skin
• Yellow fluid weeping from the skin
• Lighter or darker patches on the skin
• Bumps filled with pus under the skin
• Upset stomach
• Vomiting
• Dizziness
• Fainting
• Muscle weakness
• Fatigue
• Mood changes
• Loss of appetite
• Confusion
• Excessive thirst or hunger
• Frequent urination
• Hot flushes
• Hyperventilation 
• Breath that smells of fruit
• Problems with eyesight 

Betamethasone And Birt​​h Injury Law

In addition to its use as a skin treatment for adults, betamethasone can also be given in utero to fetuses via injection into the pregnant parent’s arm, leg, or buttocks. From there, the betamethasone will travel through the pregnant parent’s bloodstream and into the baby’s circulation.

In preterm fetuses, betamethasone can be used for:

• Speeding up lung developments
• Reducing the risk of brain bleeding
• Reducing the risk of necrotizing enterocolitis

Antenatal betamethasone can reduce a premature infant’s chance of death by as much as 40%, as well as decrease the risk of disabilities such as periventricular leukomalacia, cerebral palsy (CP), seizures, intellectual disabilities, and more.

Known risks of antenatal betamethasone include lower birth weights and smaller heads in humans, as well as hyperactivity, behavioral abnormalities, and altered endocrine function in animal studies.

It is the duty of healthcare professionals to do everything they can to prevent premature birth, including interventions such as betamethasone. Injuries caused by a failure to properly handle or prevent premature birth may be considered medical malpractice. 

If you or a loved one experienced complications because of a medical professional’s failure to prevent or manage your preterm birth, you may be entitled to compensation. It is recommended to speak to an experienced birth injury lawyer who can help you navigate your legal case.