Prevention of respiratory distress syndrome by antenatal maternal steroid treatment.
A total of 107 women at risk of premature delivery received antepartum 45 to 60 mg prednisolone medication. Their babies were matched with comparable neonates of untreated mothers. The frequency of respiratory distress syndrome was 6/107 in the steroid-treated, and 33/107 in the control group. No maternal complications were seen. Neonatal mortality was lower in the pretreated group in which, however, a higher number of bronchopneumonia was observed. In 58 prednisolone-treated women labour could be delayed, and their infants were born at term. No stillbirth or intrauterine growth retardation occurred among them.
D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D011239:Prednisolone / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011247:Pregnancy; D011295:Prenatal Care; D012127:Respiratory Distress Syndrome, Newborn / Q000517:prevention & control*
D011239:Prednisolone