[Adrenal cortex hormones in the mother and fetus in premature labor]

In a group of 126 pregnant women with imminent premature delivery between the 20th and 37th week of gestation where after weekly intervals the serum cortisol and corticosterone levels from the cubital vein was assessed, it was revealed that in the group of women who aborted or had a premature delivery, as well as in women who had the delivery in term the corticoid values vary greatly: cortisol between 370 and 500 nmol/1 and corticosterone 70 to 240 nmol/1. In both groups there is a marked difference in final values. The latter have in women with premature deliveries a rising trend and in the group where pregnancy proceeded successfully to term a declining trend. Glucocorticoid blood levels from the umbilical arteries in the group of women who had an abortion or premature delivery, as compared with women who delivered their baby in term, no significant differences were recorded. However, the glucocorticoid blood levels from the umbilical veins were significantly higher in women who had premature deliveries or abortions, as compared with women who gave birth to their babies in term. The glucocorticoid levels in amniotic fluid collected during delivery did not manifest significant differences between the two groups of pregnant women.