A postulated role for 16α-hydroxydehydroepiandrosterone in the prevention of respiratory distress syndrome

Summary The concentrations of 16-hydroxylated steroids, especially 16α-hydroxydehydroepiandrosterone (16α-hydroxyDHEA) in amniotic fluid and infants' blood are elevated many fold at normal birth time as compared with mid-term concentrations and those found in prematurely born infants. It is logical to postulate that 16α-hydroxyDHEA may be the natural inducer of lung maturation and preventor of respiratory distress syndrome. Because the infant born at normal gestational terminus has a very high concentration of blood 16α-hydroxyDHEA, treating premature infants with amounts of this steroid to provide blood concentrations that are normal in full-term infants should be a well-tolerated procedure and should avoid the developmental problems associated with glucocorticoid treatments.