Maternal intravenous ethanol in the prevention of respiratory distress syndrome.

The occurrence of respiratory distress syndrome (RDS) was studied in 68 premature neonates whose mothers were treated with at least one six-hour course of intravenous ethyl alcohol within 48 hours before delivery. At the gestational interval of 28 to 32 weeks, significant differences were observed in the incidence of RDS (p = less than 0.05), in severe RDS (p = less than 0.005), and in the mortality rate from RDS ( = less than 0.05), when compared to premature neonates not treated with alcohol and delivered during the same time interval. Several high-risk factors were found unevenly distributed between treated and control groups of patients, and their relevance to RDS was discussed. Premature rupture of membranes of more than 24 hours did not protect infants from RDS in the patients studied. Explanations for possible mechanisms of action are discussed.