Polymorphonuclear leucocytes functions from premature infants after prevention of respiratory distress syndrome with betamethasone and ambroxol.

An increase in the infection rate both in mother and newborn after antenatal administration of corticosteroids for prevention of RDS has been shown. The aim of this study was to compare PMN functions in two groups of premature infants whose mothers had received betamethasone or ambroxol for prevention of RDS. Blood samples were collected within the first four days of life from 40 newborns. Thirteen infants received antenatal administration of 6 mg of betamethasone acetate and 6 mg sodium phosphate i.m., which was repeated 24 hours later. Twelve received antenatal administration of ambroxol, 1 g i.v. every day for 5 days. Fifteen did not receive any antenatal treatment. Mean gestational age and mean birth weight was not significantly different between the betamethasone group (33 +/- 3.1 weeks and 2080 +/- 567 g) and the ambroxol group (32.9 +/- 3.4 weeks and 2164 +/- 793 g). Phagocytosis and killing ability was significantly lower in the betamethasone group in comparison to the ambroxol group (21.3% +/- 2.2 rather than 48.4% +/- 15; p 0.01 and 11.4% +/- 1.7 rather than 20.5% +/- 6.1; p 0.01 respectively). Immunoglobulin or complement levels were not significantly different in the three groups.