[Experience obtained from steroid prophylaxis for premature birth (author's transl)].

The authors have studied the effects of steroid treatment, when used to cope with imminent premature birth. The incidence of RDS was found to be reduceable by half by administration of steroids to the mother. Complementary antibiotic treatment is recommended to prevent the outbreak of puerperal infections. The point is also made that steroid therapy has caused significant rise in the incidence of infant icterus.