Glucocorticoids in prevention of respiratory distress syndrome.

Low doses of the synthetic steroid betamethasone can be effective in preventing neonatal RDS. Administration during the 48 hours immediately before delivery of infants between the 26th and 34th weeks of gestation is optimally effective. The article provides guidelines for this approach, describes its hazards, and discusses possible ways by which glucocorticoids prevent neonatal RDS.