Abstract
To investigate the physiological role of PRL in early life, we have studied serum PRL concentrations longitudinally in large cohort of premature and full-term neonates in normal and pathological conditions.
We have studied serum PRL in full-tem neonates (n = 84), premature neonates(n=50), those of amniotic fluid (n=29) and umbilical cord specimen. We also studied serum PRL in children with dehydration(n=30) before and after fluid therapy, Serum PRL has been measured by immunoradiometric assay, using newly developed one-step solid phase PRL assay kit.
Full-term neonates revealed high PRL in male (156.4 ± 74.1ng /ml) and in female (178.4 ± 74.1ng/ml) and these high PRL values immediatley after birth gradually fell over one to four months postnately after birth gradually fell over one to four months postnatally. Small for date(SFD) premature neonates at 31-36 weeks showed significantly higher PRL, compared to those of appropriate for date(AFD), but no significant difference was noted in SFD and AFD full-term neonates. Significantly higher PRL was found in asphyxia of full-term neonates, but not in those of premature infants. Increased PRL in children with dehydration revealed significant decrease after fluid replacement therapy.
We have extensively studied serum PRL in perinatal period in normal and various pathological conditions, because PRL has numerous and diverse actions. This study appeared to be the first report of ontogenesis of prolactin secretion in the fetus, neonates and infants in the largest series. The meaning of high PRL in the perinatal period remitins to be elucidated.
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Takahashi, H., Kondoh, H. & Takata, M. PROLACTIN (PRL) SECRETION OF PERMATURE AND FULL-TERM NEONATES IN NORMAL AND VARIOUS PATHOLOGICAL. CONDITIONS. Pediatr Res 33 (Suppl 5), S72 (1993). https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-199305001-00411
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-199305001-00411