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Circulating antidiuretic hormone during labour and in the newborn
Acta Paediatrica Scandinavica
|July 1, 1980
Summary
During labor, infants show extremely high antidiuretic hormone (ADH) levels, indicating active fetal production. These levels rapidly decrease after birth, though stress or difficult deliveries may elevate them.
Area of Science:
- Neonatal physiology
- Endocrinology
- Perinatal medicine
Background:
- Antidiuretic hormone (ADH) plays a crucial role in fluid balance.
- Fetal and neonatal ADH levels and their regulation are not fully understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To measure antidiuretic hormone (ADH) concentrations in maternal, cord, and neonatal plasma.
- To investigate fetal ADH production and its changes during the perinatal period.
Main Methods:
- Radioimmunoassay (RIA) was used to quantify ADH levels.
- Plasma samples were collected from 33 mothers during labor, their infants' cord blood at delivery (vaginal and Cesarean), and infants in early life.
Main Results:
- Cord arterial plasma exhibited extremely high ADH concentrations (approx. 50x adult basal levels), suggesting active fetal ADH production.
- Post-birth, plasma ADH levels decreased rapidly, typically reaching adult basal levels within the first day.
- Infants experiencing stressful or difficult deliveries showed elevated plasma ADH levels.
Conclusions:
- The fetus actively produces antidiuretic hormone (ADH).
- Neonatal ADH levels undergo rapid adaptation post-delivery.
- Perinatal stress and delivery complications are associated with higher neonatal ADH concentrations.