RESUMO
There are many studies showing that fetal lung maturation in complicated pregnancies like preeclampsia is accelerated. Lung maturation in this condition is due to glucocorticoid secretion in response to stress. There are also contradictory opnions about fetal lung maturation in preeclampsia. In this study the relationship between lung maturation in preterm infants and maternal preeclampsia was investigated. This case - control study was applied to 96 preterm infants with Respiratory Distress Syndrome [RDS] as the case group and 96 preterm infants without RDS as the control group in Zanjan- Valiasr hospital during the years 2004-2005. Both groups were similarized for age, sex, weight and type of delivery. Patient's data were obtained from their medical records and were analyzed by T and X[2] tests. In 31 preterm infants with RDS [31.6%], and in 23 preterm infants without RDS [23.4%], the mother was preeclamptic. This difference was not statistically significant. According to the results of present study, the risk of RDS in preterm infants of preeclamptic mothers is not lower than the non preeclamptic mothers; therefore fetal lung maturation is not accelerated in maternal preeclampsia