[Pharmacologic influencing of fetal phospholipide synthesis. Part I: Effect of betamethasone and bromohexine metabolit VIII (Ambroxol) (author's transl)].

The effect of Betamethasone and Bromhexine-Metabolite VIII, commonly used in RDS-prevention, was studied in pregnant rats and rabbits. 73 rats and 78 rabbits were treated for 4 days with doses, similar to those used in men. Cesarean section was performed in rats from the 18th-21th day of gestation (23 days), in rabbits from 27th-30th day (32 days). In the amniotic fluid, in fetal and maternal lungs the total phospholipid content, percentage of lecithins in total phospholipids and palmitic acid were determined and used as parameters for the surfactant content. There was no sign of induction with regard to synthesis. Premature deliveries and malformed fetusses were frequently observed under steroid-therapy. Clinical application should therefore be observed more critically.