[Pituitary somatotropic function of newborn infants]

The content of the hypophysial somatotrophic hormone was studied in the blood of cord vessels at parturition and in the peripheral blood of newborn infants during the first 2 hrs and 1-9 days of life. The hormone level by the periods of 2 hrs was markedly lower than in the foetuses, it sharply increased by the end of the first day and gradually decreased during the subsequent days. The functioning of the hypothalamic-hypophysial system in humans during this period is discussed.