RDS prophylaxis in preterm labor: corticosteroids and beta-mimetics association-indications and limits.

This study relates an incidence of maternal and feto-neonatal side effects at the Institute of Obstetrics and Gynecology of the University of Parma. Neonatal morbidity and mortality upon administration of corticosteroids and beta-mimetic drugs were observed. Remarkable was the low rate of maternal side effects and that their seriousness was quite inferior to that found by other authors. The fetal and neonatal side effects or symptoms were very few and it was impossible to ascertain whether they were due to the therapy, a consequence of maternal pathological events, the kind of delivery, gestational age or some other unknown factor. Finally, this study points out that the maternal, fetal and neonatal side effects can not be considered serious enough to judge the associated tocolytic and corticosteroid treatment unacceptable.