Zusammenfassung
Die Unsicherheit über die Wirkungsdauer einer antenatalen Glukokortikoidtherapie (ANC)
zur Lungenreifung veranlasst einen großen Teil der Geburtshelfer zu wiederholten Applikationen.
Tierversuche, aber auch Untersuchungen aus dem Bereich der Humanmedizin, lassen es
möglich erscheinen, dass die Morbidität der Neonaten durch die wiederholte Kortisongabe
zunimmt: Erhöhte neonatale Mortalität, ein geringeres Geburtsgewicht, Beeinträchtigung
der mentalen und psychomotorischen Entwicklung, Anstieg der Infektmorbidität von Mutter
und Kind, Beeinflussung der intrauterinen Programmierung durch Modifikation der hypothalamo-pituitär-adrenalen
Achse mit Manifestation von Diabetes und Bluthochdruck im späteren Leben des Kindes.
Bei Auswertung der aktuellen Literatur können diese diskutierten Komplikationen einer
wiederholten ANC-Gabe jedoch keinesfalls als bewiesen gelten. Da andererseits die
wiederholte ANC-Applikation lediglich mit einer unterschiedlich ausgeprägten Verminderung
des Atemnotsyndroms korreliert, gibt es auch für die routinemäßige multiple Wiederholung
der Steroidgabe keine wissenschaftliche Begründung. Bis die Ergebnisse größerer prospektiver,
randomisierter Studien vorliegen, sollte jeder Schwangeren mit signifikanten Frühgeburtsbestrebungen
zwischen der 24. und der 34. Schwangerschaftswoche (SSW) ein Zyklus z. B. Betamethason
(2 × 12 mg im Abstand von 24 Stunden) appliziert werden. Aufgrund bisheriger Daten
kann allenfalls die einmalige Wiederholung der Prophylaxe als sinnvoll und unbedenklich
angesehen werden.
Abstract
The discussion on the application of multiple versus single courses of antenatal corticosteroids
(ANC) for the prevention of respiratory distress syndrome (RDS) in newborns is still
controversial. Since the benefits of ANC have been shown to be most significant within
7 to 10 days after treatment, many obstetricians tend to treat women with repeated
courses of ANC if the risk of premature delivery persists. However, data from animal
as well as from clinical studies suggest detrimental effects of multiple courses of
ANC: an increase of neonatal mortality, low birth weight, retardation of mental, and
psychomotoric development, an increase in infectious morbidity of the mother and the
newborn, alterations of intra-uterine programming by modification of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal
axis with the consequence of an increased rate of diabetes and hypertension in later
life. However, a detailed review of the literature fails to prove a causal relationship
between multiple courses of ANC and the complications mentioned above. Conversely,
only gradual decreases in the severity of RDS do not justify routine application of
repeated courses of ANC. Until publication of the results of larger prospective randomised
controlled trials, each pregnant woman at significant risk for premature delivery
(24 - 34 weeks of gestation) should receive a single course of ANC (e.g. betamethasone,
2 × 12 mg in a 24-hour interval). Based on the data published, a second course of
ANC can be considered as efficient and harmless.
Schlüsselwörter
Frühgeburt - Lungenreifeinduktion - antenatale Glukokortikoide - Atemnotsyndrom
Key words
Premature delivery - preterm labour - antenatal corticosteroids - respiratory distress
syndrome
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1 Herrn Prof. em. Dr. med. Dr. med. h. c. J. Schneider zum 75. Geburtstag gewidmet
OA PD Dr. med. Hans Heinrich Günter
Zentrum Frauenheilkunde der Medizinischen Hochschule Hannover im Krankenhaus Oststadt
Podbielskistraße 380
30659 Hannover
eMail: hhguentermhh@gmx.net