Long-term follow-up of children prenatally exposed to ritodrine.

In a group of 78 6-year-old children exposed to ritodrine treatment during pregnancy for an average of 28.2 days and in two matched control groups, no statistically significant differences could be found regarding urinalysis, body-length, weight, head circumference, neurological findings, and general behaviour as perceived by parents and teachers. However, school performances of ritodrine-treated children, as estimated by the teacher of the infant school, were considered to be less good. Whether this difference can be attributed to exposure to ritodrine or should rather be explained by the less favourable obstetric situation, which led to imminent preterm delivery, is an unsolved question.