title: Stress mediators in the amniotic compartment in relation to the degree of fetal distress.
abstract: In an attempt to locate biochemical markers specific for fetal distress we measured the amniotic concentrations of beta-endorphin, ACTH, cortisol, dopamine, norepinephrine and epinephrine with its major metabolite metanephrine (MN) in pregnancies with documented fetal well-being and pregnancies complicated by hypertension and fetal distress. While higher levels of cortisol and MN were found only in a selected subgroup of highly compromised subjects (p < 0.001 and p < 0.005, respectively), beta-endorphin increased significantly under conditions of moderate or severe intrauterine sufferance (p < 0.001 in both cases). Due to higher levels of the opioid even during the initial stage of fetal discomfort we evaluated its characteristics as a possible clinical marker. Specificity was 88.5%, whereas the sensitivity of 65.6% in the moderately compromised subgroup increased to 88.9% in severely suffering fetuses. Although more accurate and mainly real-time information on the fetal health status is obtained by means of biophysical methods, the determination of amniotic fluid beta-endorphin might be of clinical usefulness in prenatal diagnosis.
authors: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Cagliari, Italy.
authors: A
authors: A
authors: Mauri
authors: A
authors: A
authors: Volpe
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000324:Adrenocorticotropic Hormone / Q000032:analysis; D000328:Adult; D000653:Amniotic Fluid / Q000737:chemistry*; D015415:Biomarkers; D004298:Dopamine / Q000032:analysis; D004837:Epinephrine / Q000032:analysis; D005260:Female; D005316:Fetal Distress; D006801:Humans; D006854:Hydrocortisone / Q000032:analysis; D008676:Metanephrine / Q000032:analysis; D009638:Norepinephrine / Q000032:analysis; D011247:Pregnancy; D001615:beta-Endorphin / Q000032:analysis
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers; D008676:Metanephrine; D001615:beta-Endorphin; D000324:Adrenocorticotropic Hormone; D004298:Dopamine; D006854:Hydrocortisone; D009638:Norepinephrine; D004837:Epinephrine