[Significance of hormones in the amniotic fluid. II. STH and corticoids]

We measured the concentrations of growth hormone and corticosteroids in the amniotic fluid of 50 pregnant diabetic women between the 33rd and 36th week of gestation. These values were compared with normal values obtained by amniocentesis in 275 healthy patients. In the amniotic fluid the concentration of growth hormone decreases during pregnancy. Between the 12th and 16th week we measured 50 ng/ml, whereas in the last four weeks we found 30 ng/ml. In the diabetic patient the amniotic fluid content of STH is lower; however, hyperinsulinaemia of the foetus does not further decrease the concentration of growth hormone. The corticosteroid concentration in the amniotic fluid increases from 10 ng/ml in the 4th month of pregnancy to 35 ng/ml at the end of pregnancy. In diabetic patients we found lower cortisol concentrations; the concentration decreased further in the case of major symptoms of diabetic foetopathy in the newborn. We believe that low corticoid concentration in the amniotic fluid of the diabetic mother may be responsible for the respiratory distress syndrome in the newborn.