[Estriol reaction test for the diagnosis of fetal distress in the 3d trimester].

In order to perform the estriol reaction test, venous blood samples for two basal estriol values were drawn at 7.30 and 8.00 a.m. from each patient. Subsequently all gravidas received 4 mg dexamethasone i.v. Blood was drawn again 4, 8, 24, 28 and 32 h thereafter for determination of unconjugated serum estriol. The analysis of the estriol response curves in 101 patients revealed that the estriol reaction test is helpful to indicate fetoplacental impairment in pregnancies at risk.