Hypersomatotropism in the dysmature infant at term and preterm birth.
Growth hormone (GH) concentrations were measured in cord serum of small (less than 2.4 kg), appropriate (3.4 +/- 0.1 kg) and large (greater than 4.4 kg) infants born at term (38-42 weeks), and in cord serum of prematurely born twins (28-36 weeks) which were either appropriate (greater than P10) or small (less than P10) for gestational age. Cord serum GH levels were found to be significantly elevated in small for gestational age infants, both at term and preterm birth. In view of the insulin-antagonizing action of fetal GH, these results further support a homeostatic function for GH in the late-gestational human fetus.
de Zegher
F
F
Department of Pediatrics, University of Leuven, Belgium.
Kimpen
J
J
Raus
J
J
Vanderschueren-Lodeweyckx
M
M
D005312:Fetal Blood / Q000737:chemistry; D013006:Growth Hormone / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007234:Infant, Premature / Q000378:metabolism*; D007236:Infant, Small for Gestational Age / Q000378:metabolism*
D013006:Growth Hormone