[New challenges for prevention of premature birth-associated respiratory distress].

Antenatal glucocorticoid decreases the risk of RDS and other serious developmental diseases in infants born preterm. Elective planned term deliveries before full 39 weeks of gestation increase the risk of RDS. While survival of extremely preterm (<28 weeks) infants has increased dramatically, the increased risk of bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) and neuro-sensory disorders (CP, retinopathy of prematurity; ROP, cognitive disorders) remains. Each of these diseases represents a specific disorder in growth and differentiation. Further basic research is required to develop effective prevention of diseases among very preterm infants and--eventually--prevention of very premature births.