Plasma Beta-Endorphin Concentrations in Neonates Associated with Acute Stress

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Abstract
Plasma ß-endorphin concentrations were measured in two groups of neonates. The control group (group 1) consisted of 20 infants with a mean gestational age of 31.5 ± 0.6 weeks and a mean birth weight of 1,720 ± 135 g. Blood samples were collected at a mean postnatal age of 1.0 ± 0.3 days. Group 2 consisted of 23 infants with clinical evidence of acute illness and associated significant stress who had a mean gestational age of 33.2 ± 1.1 weeks and a mean birth weight of 2,075 ± 225 g. Their blood samples were collected at a mean postnatal age of 3.4 ± 1.3 days. The mean ß-endorphin concentration in group 1 was 27.8 ± 6 pg/ml and 63.9 ± 4.2 pg/ml in group 2 (p < 0.05). No correlation was observed for gestation or birth weight and ß-endorphin concentrations in group 1 ; however, in group 2 a positive correlation was seen for gestational age and plasma ß-endorphin concentrations (r = 0.4411) suggesting an increased release of plasma ß-endorphin with increasing gestation when faced with significant clinical stress.