[Relationship of time interval between steroid therapy and labor to the incidence of respiratory distress syndrome].

The authors used Dexamethasone before delivery in 577 cases of pregnancy. There were 460 prematurities. Occurrence of RDS was significantly lower in cases, where delivery took place more than 48 hours after the steroid treatment. Where the steroid effect was not optimum (48 hours), the RDS was similar to that of the control group, although mild in form. In their studies they found no connection between the tocolysis (Partusisten) and the occurence of RDS. They emphasize that in the cases where respiratory insufficiencies are predisponated (elective caesarean section, diabetes mellitus etc.) the steroids significantly reduce the frequency of the disease. Neither the number of apoplexy nor that of death due to infections increase in dexamethasone treatment.