[Value and dangers of indomethacin used in pregnancy. Apropos of 304 treated patients].

When Indomethacin in a dosage of 175 mg/day was used to treat threatened premature labour more than 70% of cases carried on until 37 weeks. This treatment therefore is an interesting alternative treatment to beta-mimetics whose the maternal side effects can be serious. As far as the cardiovascular systems of the fetus and neonate are concerned the effects in the dosage used are negligible. On the other hand there may be renal failure which is transitory at birth when delivery has taken place while treatment was going on. The treatment should not be prolonged for more than three weeks because Indomethacin causes oligohydramnios and this can cause in its place malpositions and maldevelopment of the lungs. Finally, it is not certain whether this treatment has any effect on fetal growth causing diminished growth, possibly.