Abstract
With the aim of determining maternal and newborn levels of catecholamines during birth, we measured simultaneously samples from mother's peripheral vein and umbilical cord in 20 cases. Fifteen births resulted from ceasarean. sections and 5 had vaginal delivery. Maternal age ranged from 20 to 42 years and gestational age varied from 35 weeks. Maternal and newborn outcomes were uneventful. Mean levels of catecholamines (and SD)are shown in the Table below:
Obs: Catecholamines were measured by HPLC, * reference range for normal adult controls. According to literature and our own findings, we may conclude that:
1) Fetal sympathoadrenal system is fully mature by birth;
2) The high levels of cord catecholamines sometimes found are the result of adaptative stress to extrauterine life. Instead of representing maternal transfer of catecholamines.
The authors acknowledge Hospital Fernando Mauro Pires da Rocha and Hospital e Maternidade Leonor Mendes de Barros for providing the samples.
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Dahia, P., Flcury, M., Strunz, C. et al. 18 MATERNAL AND CORD BLOOD LEVELS OF CATECHOLAMICINES DURING 20 BIRTHS. Pediatr Res 36, 681 (1994). https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-199411000-00076
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-199411000-00076