Antenatal ambroxol usage in the prevention of infant respiratory distress syndrome. Beneficial and adverse effects.

A bromhexine metabolite ambroxol, is a relatively new promoter of fetal lung maturation. The data on its efficacy and side effects in humans are not yet as many as those of corticosteroids. We found that in 24 premature labor patients ambroxol reduced the incidence of respiratory distress syndrome when compared with the control group, consisting of 58 patients. There was no concomitant disorder in any patient that would have contributed to the fetal lung maturation. We also observed septic morbidity to be less frequent in the ambroxol group. Thyroid hormone levels were within normal range both in maternal and fetal circulation. There were no side effects attributable to the drug. Maternal liver and renal function test results did not differ significantly throughout the treatment.