title: Adrenal sensitivity to adrenocorticotrophin in twin neonates--effect of birth order and growth retardation.
abstract: The sensitivity of the neonatal adrenal gland to injected synthetic adrenocorticotrophin (ACTH) (Synacthen; Ciba-Geigy) 500 micrograms/m2 was assessed in 19 twin pairs by measurement of cortisol and dehydro-epiandrosterone sulphate (DHEAS) before and after injection. Ten of the neonates were growth-retarded with respect to their siblings and 11 pairs were delivered before the onset of labour. The cortisol response to ACTH was not significantly different between labour groups, between the first and second twins or between growth-retarded and non-growth-retarded twins. However, the rise in DHEAS was significantly less in the neonates delivered vaginally after labour. These results suggest that there may be a change in adrenal gland secretion in neonates born after labour compared with those born before the onset of contractions.
mesh_terms: D000311:Adrenal Glands / Q000502:physiology*; D000324:Adrenocorticotropic Hormone / Q000494:pharmacology*; D001722:Birth Order; D003687:Dehydroepiandrosterone / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000097:blood; D019314:Dehydroepiandrosterone Sulfate; D036861:Delivery, Obstetric; D005260:Female; D005317:Fetal Growth Retardation / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D006854:Hydrocortisone / Q000097:blood*; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007743:Labor, Obstetric; D011247:Pregnancy; D013223:Statistics as Topic; D014427:Twins
chemical_list: D003687:Dehydroepiandrosterone; D019314:Dehydroepiandrosterone Sulfate; D000324:Adrenocorticotropic Hormone; D006854:Hydrocortisone