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Decreased fetal cord prolactin concentration in diabetic pregnancies
Insights
Infants born to diabetic mothers show delayed lung maturation. This study found lower fetal prolactin levels in these infants, suggesting a potential link to respiratory distress syndrome.
Area of Science:
- Neonatal endocrinology
- Fetal lung development
Background:
- Infants of diabetic mothers (IDMs) have an increased incidence of respiratory distress syndrome (RDS).
- Fetal lung maturation is influenced by various hormones, but their specific role in IDMs is not fully understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between maternal diabetes and fetal hormone levels, specifically focusing on potential modulators of lung maturation.
- To compare cord serum levels of prolactin, estrogens, and thyroid hormones between IDMs and infants of nondiabetic mothers.
Main Methods:
- Serum samples were collected from the umbilical cords of 40 infants of diabetic mothers and 40 infants of nondiabetic control mothers at term.
- Levels of prolactin, estrone, estradiol, thyroxine, triiodothyronine, and triiodothyronine-resin uptake index were measured.
Main Results:
- Infants of diabetic mothers exhibited significantly lower mixed-cord serum prolactin levels compared to control infants (p < 0.0005).
- No significant differences were observed in cord serum levels of estrone, estradiol, thyroxine, triiodothyronine, or triiodothyronine-resin uptake index between the two groups.
Conclusions:
- Decreased fetal prolactin levels in infants of diabetic mothers may be linked to, or contribute to, the delayed lung maturation observed in these neonates.
- These findings highlight a potential hormonal factor contributing to respiratory complications in infants born to diabetic mothers.
Abstract:
Infants of diabetic mothers are known to have a greater incidence of respiratory distress syndrome than normal control infants. Fetal lung maturation is modulated by a large number of hormones. To further investigate a possible role of hormonal modulators of lung maturation in infants of diabetic mothers, fetal cord prolactin, estrone, estradiol, thyroxine, triiodothyronine, and triiodothyronine-resin uptake index levels were measured in infants of diabetic mothers (n = 40) and nondiabetic mothers (n = 40) at term. Infants of diabetic mothers had significantly lower mixed-cord serum prolactin levels (p less than 0.0005) than control infants. There was no significant difference in cord serum thyroxine, triiodothyronine-resin uptake index, triiodothyronine, estrone, or estradiol levels between the infants of diabetic mothers and the infants of control mothers. These findings raise the possibility that decreased fetal prolactin levels may be associated with, or contribute to, the delayed lung maturation reported with diabetic pregnancies.