The effect of glucocorticoids on the maturation of premature lung membranes. Preventing the respiratory distress syndrome by glucocorticoids.

The effect of glucocorticoid on the maturation of premature lung membranes was studied in 121 premature infants by administering variable dosages of Decadron to the 114 mothers prior to delivery. The results were compared with findings in a group of 390 infants born in the same hospital during this study. Administration of all three test doses, 8, 16, and 24 mg., significantly decreased the incidence of RDS in all gestational age and birth weight categories. For infants less than 32 weeks, the incidence was decreased from 75 to 46.2%; those 32 to 36 weeks, from 58 to 20.2%; and in those older than 36 weeks, from 24.4 to 0 per cent. The incidence in infants less than 1,000 grams was reduced from 100 to 71.5%; 1,000 to 1,500 grams, from 67.4 to 21.6%; 1,500 to 2,000 grams, from 52.3 to 22.6%; and in heavier than 2,000 grams, from 38.1 to 13.4%. The results also showed that glucocorticoid does not significantly reduce RDS if administered less than 24 hours prior to delivery. The incidence is reduced more than 50% if administered more than 24 hours prior to delivery.