[Cardiac parameters of the newborn after tocolysis (author's transl)]

Since 1971 premature labor has been treated with Fenoterol and Verapamil in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology of the University in Mannheim. In animal experiments as well as in the isolated fetal cardiac muscle elective myocardial necroses were observed following stimulation with beta-sympathomimetics. These lesions are prevented by additional application of Ca++-antagonists. Fenoterol and Verapamil are capable of passing through the placenta. To evaluate the question whether a possible cardiac lesion of the infant is caused by tocolysis, 31 newborns of mothers after tocolysis were compared to a group of 19 infants without tocolysis. At the first day of life as well as at the age of 2 and 4 weeks ECG was registered, and the serum electrolytes K+, Ca++ and Mg++ were determined. At day 1 and day 4 as well as during the 2nd and 5th week CK and CK-MB were measured, and during the 2nd week the size of heart was registered. We were unable to demonstrate pathological cardiac findings in newborns following tocolysis which were related to the preceding medication.