Child development after maternal tocolysis with beta-sympathomimetic drugs

The psyche-social development of both preterm and term children whose mothe rs reported tocolytic treatment was assessed at the ages of 2, 4.5, and 8 y ears. Term children exposed to tocolysis showed a higher rate of psychiatri c disorders as well as poorer cognitive and motor performance than controls . In the preterm children no adverse impact of tocolysis could be found. Th e results are discussed concerning possible ways in which tocolytic treatme nt may influence child development. Restrictions because of the preliminary character of this study and the need of further prospective studies to cla rify the developmental impact of tocolysis are also considered.