AMNIOTIC-FLUID CORTISOL IN HIGH-RISK HUMAN PREGNANCIES

  • 1 January 1977
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 49  (4) , 466-470
Abstract
Amniotic fluid cortisol (AFC) levels were measured in 76 normal and 67 high-risk human pregnancies. When compared to normal gestations, diabetic pregnancies were associated with lower AFC levels, while toxemic, early Rh-sensitized and other stressed pregnancies had higher mean cortisol values. Serially followed normal and high-risk pregnancies showed a progressive rise in AFC with increasing gestational age. Significant correlation between AFC concentrations and lecithin/sphingomyelin ratios was noted in normal, diabetic and toxemic gestations. These results are concordant with the hypothesis that cortisol may be involved in fetal lung development.

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